TODAY IS WORLD
ENVIRON DAY
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TAKING THE LEAD
* The use of plastic straws has been stopped in Vandana Naik's Cafe Bodega at Altinho
* Naik says that customers haven't complained and business has not been affected
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EU MOVE WELCOMED
* On proposed the ban in EU, vRecycle founder Clinton Vaz said it was a good measure
* He said that it makes absolutely no sense economically to produce anything for single-use
* On effect of ban in Goa, Vaz said that this would depend on government enforcement
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PANAJI: With the European Union (EU) proposing a ban on straws and other single-use plastics, this Environment Day being celebrated with the theme of beating plastic pollution, we ask the question, why can't Goans do the same without an official ban?
The campaign against single-use straws has been gaining steam with several restaurants coming on board and not offering straws unless customers specifically ask for them, with notices being put up to that effect.
While most restaurants in the state use plastic straws for drinks like 'Limbu soda' without restriction, there are also many people who are becoming increasingly conscious of using single-use throwaway straws.
Vandana Naik's popular cafe in Altinho, Panaji, Cafe Bodega, for example, stopped the use of plastic straws a while ago. Naik said that customers haven't complained about this in the least and that business has in no way been affected because of this. When asked whether restaurants/cafes across the state could go ahead with doing away with plastic straws in this manner, Naik felt that a lot would depend on a restaurant's customer base.
When asked by The Goan about his views on the proposed single-use plastic ban in the EU, Clinton Vaz, founder vRecycle and a strong advocate of protecting the environment, said that he felt the proposed ban was a good measure taken by the EU. He also said that it makes absolutely no sense economically to produce anything for single-use. When asked how a ban of this sort would work in Goa, Vaz said that this would depend on government enforcement. While a fine on the use of plastics is already in place in the state, enforcement is lax with many vendors in Goa's markets who continue to give away plastic bags still getting away scot-free.
It is important to bear in mind, that a complete ban on the production of plastic straws would be detrimental to many disabled people who rely on the same to eat, drink, and take medication. The alternatives to single-use plastic straws like reusable paper, metal, acrylic, bamboo, glass and silicone straws pose injury risks to them and are very often non-positionable. Pressure to create biodegradable straw options that are safe for the environment and disabled people should thus fall upon the manufacturer and not marginalised disabled people.
The European Commission on Monday put forth a proposal to ban single-use plastics like straws, cotton buds, and throwaway cutlery among other things that amount to 70% of litter in Europe's oceans.
EU Vice-President Frans Timmermans stated that the banned products would be replaced with cleaner substitutes, so while environmental damage would be curbed, people could still use their favourite products.
If the proposal is passed, Timmermans hopes to see the plan implemented within 12 months. The proposal will first be assessed by the EU Parliament and member states.
