The Hindu : A welcome step

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 09, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Editorials

A welcome step

INDIA'S BATTLE AGAINST non-biodegradable wastes has now taken a different turn with Tamil Nadu joining a list of select States that have taken steps to put an end to the widespread havoc caused by non-recyclable plastics. The proposed Bill to ban non-reusable plastics is important in that it comes as an effort at the State level, in contrast to the approaches taken at the municipal levels in various parts of India. It is, however, important to recognise that there are bound to be difficulties in administering the law, especially when it comes to interpreting the technical details. Given the ease with which the law is flouted, the difficulties in implementing the law should be considered and a suitable mechanism evolved to ensure that the ultimate end of the legislation is served. As checking the possibilities of misinterpretation of the law is as important as putting one in place, the Government will do well to come out with a popular version of the Bill that will aim at explaining to the people the purposes behind the law. In what is bound to be a long march towards ending the menace of throwaway plastics, several challenges are to be overcome: misinterpretations that should be corrected, fears to be allayed and most important, minds to be won over.

To start with, possible misinterpretations on the sweep of the ban should be cleared with a comprehensive statement and the fears of enforcement should be dispelled by spelling out the personnel to be involved in its enforcement and the extent of powers they would wield. Such an exercise should also help in preparing the mind of the user of such products on the harm they cause to the environment as well as to individual health. A detailed overview of the present situation and the likely consequences of an unfettered continuation of the use of the throwaways should precede firm legislative action. With studies pointing to the rise of plastics in the composition of India's municipal wastes there should be no time lost in taking concerted action to ensure that non-reusable plastics do not enter the eco-system. With the country not yet ready for the rather expensive option of biodegradable plastics the present task should aim at putting an end to this toxic product at both the consumer and the producer end. An important part of the popular debate should be the distinction between the benefits of plastics and the harmful consequences of the rampant spread of non-recyclable plastics. Plastics are an integral part of today's civilisation. Their longevity, which is a boon for industrial applications, however, is the bane of the environment.

The Tamil Nadu Government has reasoned that the non-reusable plastics cause significant environment risk and health hazards. The problem, however, should not be seen as either an urban-centric or a middle-class-centric issue. The rise of plastics into every form of packaging has also meant the decline of several traditional modes. For the efforts to be successful it is important that the Government encourages affordable small-scale alternatives and ensures that such options are easily available. As there are suitable alternatives for the products listed, the proposed Bill should be seen as an opportunity to mark the revival of alternative occupations. The most difficult battle in this war against the throwaway plastic is winning the mind of the consumer. Experience at the local government level, especially in tourist areas, has shown that once an official rule is in place, the popular critical mass in support of such an effort swells. The larger aim of the policy makers should be to convince the consumer that serious, long-term harm is done by non-reusable plastics compared to the minor, short-term conveniences they provide.

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