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Plastic is everywhere. You can find it in almost every corner of your house. You can find it in your kitchen, the bag in which you get the vegetable packed from the market, the consumer items that fill your pantry, the food you order online, or the water bottle you buy from any store. Durable, affordable, convenient, but probably the most hazardous substance. The Union Environment Ministry announced a ban on single-use plastics in August 2021, and it went into force on July 1 of this year (2022). A national and state-level control room system would be established, according to the notification, to monitor the production, importation, stocking, distribution, sale, and usage of products made of the prohibited single-use plastic. The manufacturing, importation, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carry bags with a thickness less than 120 microns will also be prohibited beginning on December 31, 2022, per the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021. Though, it will take some time to disintegrate but achievable.
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The following items are included in this ban: ice cream sticks, candy sticks, polythene bags, plastic plates, cups, glasses, and cutlery made of plastic, including forks, spoons, knives, straws, and trays, as well as stirrers and wrapping/packaging films like cling wraps. According to the Environment Protection Act of 1986, those who violate the new restrictions put out by the government might be sentenced to up to five years in prison, a fine of INR 1 lakh, or both.
Although it is the need of the hour, it will have a significant impact on Indian kitchens. Many restaurant owners have started employing pricey reusable plastic containers and biodegradable materials that are more expensive than regular plastic. It, however, will also have an impact on the price. In addition to costs, adopting alternatives like paper in the food packaging business has significant practical challenges. Food has a texture, a level of moisture, and a flavour that must be preserved as the experts see fit. Paper packaging is known to absorb flavours, whereas leaf packaging is more likely to rip during delivery.
In fact, more than just a ban will be necessary to rid our ecology of the harmful effects of plastic. Individual decisions matter, and they matter much more in light of India's massive annual plastic trash production. According to estimates, the average Indian uses 10 kilogram of plastic per year, of which only 60% gets recycled.
It's time that we come up with the greatest solution for ourselves so that we can avoid paying the penalty and save the planet. For everyday use, we have a few plastic substitutes.
1. Consider using bamboo, rice, pasta, or stainless steel straws.
2. Plastic cups are so outdated! Save the environment by bringing a reusable glass or flask to the office or school.
3. Using disposable plastic tableware is quite wasteful. Instead, use reusable bamboo utensils or buy a set of travel plastic-free cutlery.
4. Take jute or cotton bags from home for supermarket shopping.
5. Invest in a steel bottle rather than a plastic one for long-term use.
You'll find yourself living more sustainably and comfortably as you make the switch to these eco-friendly solutions and are satisfied that you are not endangering mother earth.
