Citizens yet to wake up to harmful effects of plastics

The public depend on plastic bags as the culture of carrying marketing bags

DIMAPUR— Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats as plastics end up in landfills, rivers, drainage and roadsides, which in turn pose health hazard to both humans and animals.

Sadly, the government’s efforts to reduce the use of plastics seems to have fallen on deaf ears as the public in general are still yet to take full cognisance of the harmful effects of plastics.

The observance of ‘International Plastic Bag Free Day’ every year on July 3 to raise awareness on plastic use and pollution, has also taken a back seat as grocery shops, vegetable markets and retail shops in the state continue to pack sold products in plastic bags, especially single-use plastics (SUPs)

Though Nagaland government had imposed ban on single-use plastics several times, the ban has been a total failure as evidenced by the free circulation of plastic bags in all districts of the state.

The government’s resolve to make Nagaland plastic-free has become an uphill task as the departments concerned and administration have also not come up with any concrete action plan on the implementation part.

Related news: Ban on single-use plastics in Nagaland still a far cry

The proprietor of a paper bag manufacturing unit in Dimapur was of the view that if the state government is serious enough to implement the ban, then it should strictly restrict use of SUPs, starting with the government offices, and promote paper bags or other disposable and reusable alternatives.

“I am not voicing out because I run a paper bag unit but with a sense of responsibility. The recent flooding in Dimapur itself is a confirmation of how we have failed to be conscious of the ill-effects of plastic wastes while failing to follow the order of the government on the ban of plastic use. The government should also set an exemplary action by using and encouraging the use of paper or reusable bags,” she said.

Plastic items are found everywhere including in drains and garbage bins, which cause flood-like situations during downpour. When clogged drains are being cleared, plastic wastes are found to be the main reason for clogged drains, she said.

A shopkeeper in Dimapur’s vegetable market admitted that he had paid a certain amount of money as fine for keeping plastic bags. But even after being aware of the ban order and penalty for keeping plastic bags, he said he continued to stash them as customers keep asking for polythene bags.

“Almost all the customers come to the market without any carry bags. When we don’t have polythene to pack their purchased vegetables, they leave without buying. So I take risk by keeping plastic bags in order to sell my perishable items; so does everyone here in the market”, he pointed out.

“Although most of the retail outlets provide paper bags or paid reusable bags, there are many markets which continue to provide plastic bags openly. It is not just the shopkeepers but the public as well who depend on plastic bags as the culture of carrying marketing bags is still lacking in our people. Government imposes fines on small-time shopkeepers but not on customers who openly carry plastic bags,” a shopkeeper lamented.

Voicing out on the unfair treatment towards small-time shops, the shopkeeper pointed out that until the manufacturing units of SUPs are imposed penalty as per the law, SUP bags will continue to circulate in the markets.

Initiatives and campaign by various NGOs even churches to discourage use of SUPs have proved futile so far.

“We need to make conscious effort to reduce our plastic consumption every day,” said a church worker who had initiated and trained some of his church members on paper bag making a few years back.

A sanitation worker under Dimapur Municipal Council lamented that the initiative to adopt segregation of wet and dry wastes did not work out because of non-cooperation from the public.