Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (VP)

Mangaluru, Aug 2: The issue of single-use plastic remains a significant global problem despite widespread awareness of its harmful effects. Although single-use plastic has been banned in Karnataka since 2016, and the union government implemented a nationwide ban on July 1, 2022, its usage persists.

Senior environment officer Vijaya Heggade has warned that fines will be imposed if the use of single-use plastic continues. Recently, Mangaluru, Dharmasthala, Bidar, Kalburgi, and Mysuru were declared 'Plastic-Free Regions,' but the reality on the ground often tells a different story.

A shopper at City Market commented, "Single-use plastic is considered very convenient. Even though it's called single-use, we often use it 2-3 times before throwing it away. We understand the harm of plastic, but it is ubiquitous. Banning it alone won’t solve the problem unless we find an alternative that matches its utility."

Another shopper added, "Plastic is actually very practical. Alternatives like cloth and paper bags were available before plastic became popular. While cloth bags and paper bags were used previously, plastic's advantages—such as being lightweight, leak-proof, and contamination-resistant—make it hard to replace."

A shopkeeper remarked, "Single-use plastics have been in use for decades, and people are accustomed to them. Customers often ask for extra bags, and adopting cloth bags could hurt our margins, especially since many customers haggle over prices. Cloth bags are not always economical, and though some customers bring their own, they are in the minority. Plastic bags are also useful in rainy weather to keep vegetables dry. If the government insists on enforcing this ban, it should apply to all, including large corporations, not just small shopkeepers."

Another shopkeeper added, "We weigh and pack produce like tamarind, onions, ginger, and garlic in advance using plastic bags for convenience and time-saving. A comprehensive ban would significantly affect our margins since plastic is inexpensive and cost-effective."