1. War Against Plastics
In the context of the impending ‘full’ plastic ban by the BBMP in Bangalore city
limits, it is worth having a fresh look at this mammoth problem — its origin,
growth over the years, administrative approach to the issue and the likely future
scenario in our cities. Why is plastic considered the villain in the management of
health of modern cities and how effective is the fight against plastics?
The beginning
The origin of plastic can be traced to the U.S around the 1860s. A product called
casein was invented in 1897. Cellulose acetate, a thermo plastic, was developed in
1927. The commercial development of today’s thermoplastics came about in the
1930s and 1940s.
The demand for plastics rose during World War II owing to shortage of rubber.
Efforts to produce synthetic rubber lead to chemistry of polymer formation and
finally plastic materials. Subsequent development of polypropylene paved the
way for widespread use of the present plastics in many applications.
Low density polyethylene was introduced around 1980 at a low cost. Plastic, thus,
edged out wood, paper, glass, metals and leather. Introduction of alloys and
blends of polymers increased the demand for plastics.
Environment hazard
Plastic is widely used in the modern medical field, transport and communication
and even in the aircraft industry. It has become a part of everyday life of the
common man. One can notice a plastic bag with almost everyone in the streets,
offices, airports, cinemas, hospitals and even in the State Assemblies and in
Parliament. Bags made from thin, flexible polythene film have became popular
among shoppers as carry bags, grocery bags etc.
‘Single use’ bags became the main trash all over the world, mainly in undeveloped
and developing countries. Once used, these bags are thrown away. Some are
collected through various sources and recycled. Litter from plastic bags and
similar products is the major environmental pollutant in our cities. The demand
for banning plastic products, especially bags, has been raised increasingly by
environmentalists and ‘green city’ enthusiasts. They have been advocating a total
ban on the use of plastics. The last decade has increasingly witnessed the ‘ban’
approach, whereas, the recent ‘regulation’ approach is found more rational. A
blanket ban would prove to be difficult to enforce.
The latest example
Out of many cities with a ‘regulatory’ approach, the most recent is Quezon city in
the Philippines, where this law has become effective from September 1. Many

2. other cities have also enforced similar regulations, e.g., Los Angeles during 2011,
Corvallis city in Oregon, U.S., a couple of years ago and Botswana in Africa last
year. It is too early to evaluate the results of the regulatory implementation
process in these cities. The global production of plastic items has risen to almost
400 million tonnes every year. Most of the manufacturers are taking steps for
increased recycling.
The machinery for enforcing a ban is going to be very expensive. As against this, a
regulatory approach will have the cooperation of manufacturers, traders, users,
field-level administrators etc.
Steps to Reduction
1. Start using your own reusable bags.
2. Have plastic bags at home? Reuse or recycle them!
3. Count how many plastic bags are brought into your
household during one week. When we see the waste for
ourselves and know how using reusable bags can make a
difference in just one household.
4. Spread the word by refusing to accept plastic bags from
cashiers and store owners. It only takes a second to refuse a
plastic bag, and to politely remind the cashier (and anyone else
in line) that plastic bags are bad for the environment.
And it's a problem facing countries across the world: each year, an estimated 500 billion
to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide, which is about over one million a
minute and most of them end up in the dustbin in a few minutes.