Plastic ban: A long way to go for any real effect
Enforcement of a policy for the elimination of plastic is a complex task given the extent to which it has infiltrated our lives
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Amidst debates and skepticism surrounding global warming and climate change, an Indian state has recently taken a bold step of imposing a stringent ban on manufacturing, sale and use of plastics. It has given stakeholders three months’ time to come up with alternatives.
While environmentalists are lauding the move, the decision has also been criticised by several quarters for being too ambitious, without providing enough details. Concerns revolve around the availability of alternatives, lack of clarity over buy-back schemes, implications on pricing of goods, loss of livelihoods and lack of suitable plastic waste management systems. Enforcement of a policy for the elimination of plastic is a complex task given the extent to which it has infiltrated our lives. The National Plastic Waste Management Rules had to be amended twice since its inception in 2011 (in 2016 and 2018) to address this concern.
Considering the ripple effects of the decision on a large number of stakeholders, it may be worthwhile to set realistic timelines to implement this drastic but essential change. It needs to be backed by a more comprehensive plan addressing plastics across their life cycle. Policy makers, too need to come together for a multi-pronged strategy to address the issues around this ban and create an enabling environment for all. Some of these could include the following:
There should be more strict penalties on burning of waste plastic to ensure that there is no risk to public health and environment. Similarly, technology used to treat or dispose plastic waste should be chosen with utmost care to ensure that the process or byproduct is not toxic. For example, recycled plastics are known to be more harmful than virgin plastics. We should look at the feasibility of using the byproduct for constructive options like using plastic waste for fuel generation, for laying of roads/ pavements, blending into bio polymers and so on. If found viable, they should be considered to tackle the problem of plastic waste.
A study of plastic ban measures in the developed nations suggests that a combination of regulation and taxation, rather than a blanket ban works better. Washington DC was one of the first cities to implement tax on plastic bags. The revenue generated was used to distribute reusable bags to low income and elderly communities in the city and for a river clean up project. There has been an 85 percent reduction in the consumption of plastic bags since the policy was implemented in 2009. Denmark started levying charges on the use of plastic bags as early as 1993. As a result, plastic use dropped by 60 percent in a short time. Canada has voluntary anti plastic advisory for citizens and provides incentives to stores. As a result, usage has dropped by approximately 50 percent.
Given the severity of the situation, an inter-ministerial working group needs to be created at the national level to look at policies that could be adopted to cumulatively address the issue of plastic wastes. At the local level, government departments, private sector and citizens need to come together to fight the war against plastics, before it is too late.