International Plastic Bag Free Day
THE GOAN
PANAJI
Every house has one plastic bag, which is filled to the brim with twenty more plastic bags. While some families do reuse these flimsy bags, more often than not, they are discarded after a single use. According to global estimates, up to 5 trillion plastic bags are used every year, yet the average bag is used for just 12 to 20 minutes before being thrown away. The environment bears the brunt. What serves as a momentary convenience for humans remains a persistent threat to the planet, taking anywhere from 100 to 500 years to decompose. From land and air pollution to the contamination of water bodies, plastic bags continue to leave their mark on nearly every corner of the environment with their translucent handles.
Ban rules
There is a nationwide regulation that strictly prohibits the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, and sale of thin plastic carrier bags below 120 microns. Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) and non-biodegradable PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) bags and packaging are also banned. Additionally, other prohibited items include plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery (forks, spoons, and knives), straws, cling films, and plastic sheets used for dining tables, regardless of their thickness. While it is all very well on paper, how far have the rules actually been implemented?
Enforcement challenges
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) stated that the implementation of the ban on plastic carry bags below 120 microns in Goa has been partially successful as there are no manufacturing units in the State producing plastic carry bags below the prescribed thickness. “However, the primary challenge is the illegal inflow of such carry bags from adjoining States through informal supply channels, which poses difficulties in enforcement,” they said. They also mentioned that inspections and enforcement drives are undertaken by the concerned authorities to curb their sale and use within the State.
Reusable alternatives
While the government continues its efforts to enforce the ban on environmentally harmful plastics, the responsibility also lies with its citizens. At a time when single-use plastics constitute a significant portion of the waste generated, making the shift to reusable alternatives has become more important than ever. Shreya Bakhle, founder of Shreya's Silaii, which specialises in stitching cloth bags, believes that switching to reusable cloth bags is a far more sustainable option than even paper bags. "Paper bags tear easily, have limited reuse value and require considerable resources to produce. Reusable cloth bags are durable, can be washed and used multiple times, and remain the best alternative," she said
Beyond recycling
Indranil Sengupta and Rabia Tewari, Founders of Ethico India, a conscious lifestyle store that promotes refillable, reusable and plastic-free alternatives, insist on the use of reusable alternatives. “Plastic doesn't simply disappear. It breaks down into smaller microplastics that have now been found in our soil, rivers, oceans, food and even the human body,” they mentioned. They stated that the most effective solution is not just better recycling, but reducing our dependence on single-use plastics altogether. “We need to build the habit of carrying reusable shopping bags, bottles and containers, and wherever possible choose refill stores or products with minimal packaging. It requires a little more planning, but it is one of the simplest lifestyle changes that can have a meaningful environmental impact,” they reckoned.
Citizen responsibility
“We can all play a role in reducing plastic pollution by making small changes in our daily habits,” GSPCB mentioned. They urged citizens to carry reusable cloth or jute bags while shopping, refuse plastic carry bags even when offered free of cost, segregate plastic waste at source and dispose of it through authorised collection systems. The board also stressed the importance of not littering plastic waste in public places, including beaches, rivers, forests and roadsides.
Way forward
As the debate around plastic pollution continues, one thing remains clear: regulations alone cannot solve the problem. While enforcement and policy play a crucial role, lasting change will depend on collective action and conscious choices made by individuals every day. Carrying a reusable bag may seem like a small step, but when adopted by millions, it has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental burden of single-use plastics. As regulations tighten and awareness grows, the hope is that more people will choose reusable alternatives and reduce their reliance on single-use plastics. Perhaps then, someday, that familiar plastic bag filled with countless other plastic bags will finally begin to empty.
