The concept of introducing starch-based plastic bags looks to be good in terms of its biodegradable nature since it is manufactured from 100 per cent corn starch and for its strength, because it is known to be around 30 per cent stronger than polythene bags.
However, on the flip side, the raw material for producing starch-based bags is not available in India for now and has to be currently imported from countries like France. The raw material named ‘Biolice' is extracted from corn produce which is subsequently converted into pellets, similar to plastic pellets and later into different products such as bags. Such bags are known to be three times stronger than plastic ones, apart from being resistant to fat, water and most organic solvents. Also, the starch-based bags dissolve on their own within three months and have no harmful effects if consumed by animals.
However, the cost factor will be the biggest impediment as starch bags used elsewhere in the country are priced at over three times more than plastic bags with prices extending up to Rs 15 per bag.
While starch-based bags are set to make an entry, government should also encourage cloth bags since they are equally strong, reusable and have no harmful effects on the ecology.
On the other side, authorities will have to keep a close watch on cheap plastic alternatives, like the non-woven fiber material bags, which were deceivingly used at the recent Bodgeshwar Zatra. Such substitutes give an appearance of fiber and cloth, but are not eco-friendly since the raw materials used are polypropylene or terephthalate glycol lester which are also non-biodegradable like plastic bags made of polyethylene.
The enforcing authorities and government departments should be first educated on the plastic ban to save itself of an embarrassment like the one at the Mapusa zatra where Mapusa Municipal Council and the Goa Solid Waste Management Corporation joined hands with Bodgeshwar Devasthan committee to go ahead with an option which proved to be as lethal as plastic, probably not knowing that it's not the solution.
A polyvinyl chloride-based plastic ban from May 30 this year as announced by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is good news for Goa and with the first phase slated to begin as early as January 26, there appears to be intent to sweep off plastic.
However, several deadlines on plastic bans have passed by and nothing has changed on the ground. A garbage ban is welcome anytime, the drive to enforce it has been lacking since long. In May last year, a plastic ban was announced effective July with announcement of fines for those found buying or selling plastic bags. As part of the Swachh Bharat initiative, there were pledges that plastic will be banned in all the government offices. With January 26 a few weeks away, let's wait in hope this time.
However, on the flip side, the raw material for producing starch-based bags is not available in India for now and has to be currently imported from countries like France. The raw material named ‘Biolice' is extracted from corn produce which is subsequently converted into pellets, similar to plastic pellets and later into different products such as bags. Such bags are known to be three times stronger than plastic ones, apart from being resistant to fat, water and most organic solvents. Also, the starch-based bags dissolve on their own within three months and have no harmful effects if consumed by animals.
However, the cost factor will be the biggest impediment as starch bags used elsewhere in the country are priced at over three times more than plastic bags with prices extending up to Rs 15 per bag.
While starch-based bags are set to make an entry, government should also encourage cloth bags since they are equally strong, reusable and have no harmful effects on the ecology.
On the other side, authorities will have to keep a close watch on cheap plastic alternatives, like the non-woven fiber material bags, which were deceivingly used at the recent Bodgeshwar Zatra. Such substitutes give an appearance of fiber and cloth, but are not eco-friendly since the raw materials used are polypropylene or terephthalate glycol lester which are also non-biodegradable like plastic bags made of polyethylene.
The enforcing authorities and government departments should be first educated on the plastic ban to save itself of an embarrassment like the one at the Mapusa zatra where Mapusa Municipal Council and the Goa Solid Waste Management Corporation joined hands with Bodgeshwar Devasthan committee to go ahead with an option which proved to be as lethal as plastic, probably not knowing that it's not the solution.
A polyvinyl chloride-based plastic ban from May 30 this year as announced by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is good news for Goa and with the first phase slated to begin as early as January 26, there appears to be intent to sweep off plastic.
However, several deadlines on plastic bans have passed by and nothing has changed on the ground. A garbage ban is welcome anytime, the drive to enforce it has been lacking since long. In May last year, a plastic ban was announced effective July with announcement of fines for those found buying or selling plastic bags. As part of the Swachh Bharat initiative, there were pledges that plastic will be banned in all the government offices. With January 26 a few weeks away, let's wait in hope this time.
