Despite knowing the harmful effects of plastic the government is not serious in enforcing laws against its rampant use. People also turn a blind eye to the plastic menace.
Everyone seems to be accustomed to the use-and-throw culture and don’t even bother to carry cloth or jute bags for shopping.
Have we even given a thought to how thick the plastic bag given to us in shopping malls is? About 5 per cent of all garbage is plastic and only 50 per cent is recycled.
Although plastics are designed for durability, they are often discarded after single use. Plastic persists in the environment for extended periods, disrupting air and water circulation in the soil, significantly hindering plant growth.
Plastic also diminishes the soil's ability to retain water. During the monsoon season, plastic accumulates in drains, obstructing water flow and leading to water-logging and floods, consequently increasing the prevalence of waterborne diseases.
It is time the government clamps down on this menace by strictly enforcing the rules and penalizing the culprits.
