CLOTH BAG REVOLUTION BY YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS NGO

                                               CLOTH BAG REVOLUTION

 

Here in India, every once in a while the government passes out an order banning shop keepers from providing plastic bags to customers for carrying their purchases, with little lasting effect. Mumbai hears of no legislation at all. We do have states like Chandigarh and Bangalore which have put a stop on usage of plastic bags to some extent. Plastic bags are very popular with both retailers as well as consumers because they are cheap, strong, lightweight, functional, as well as a hygienic means of carrying food as well as other goods. Even though they are one of the modern conveniences that we seem to be unable to do without, they are responsible for causing pollution, killing wildlife, and using up the precious resources of the earth.


How Are Plastic Bags Harmful to the Environment?
Plastic bags are used by every body,it is easily available and free.

 You get them, right from a vegetable vendor to a designer store.

Spread garbage all around our open spaces.

Once they are used, most bags go into landfills which are already crowded here in Mumbai. Each year, more and more bags are ending up littering the environment. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. And, if they are burned, they infuse the air with toxic fumes.

 Animals suffer the most..
About 100,000 animals, such as dolphins, turtles whales, penguins are killed every year due to these bags. Many animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food and therefore, die. And worse, the ingested plastic bag remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the animal. Thus, it lies around in the landscape where another victim may ingest it.In Delhi there have been media reports of ‘Cows’ eating plastic bags from the garbage around and dying of indigestion!

Non-biodegradable

One of the worst environmental effects is they are non-biodegradable. Research says that the decomposition takes about 400 years. No one will live so long to witness decomposition of plastic! Thus, save the environment for the future generation of humans as well as animals.

Petroleum Is Required to Produce Plastic Bags

Petroleum products are diminishing and getting more expensive by the day, since we have used this non-renewable resource, increasingly. Petroleum is vital for our modern way of life. It is necessary for our energy requirements -- for our factories, transport, heating, lighting, and so on. Without viable alternative sources of energy yet on the horizon, if the supply of petroleum were to be turned off, it would lead to, practically the entire world grinding to a halt. But it is said that  to make plastic, about 60 - 100 million barrels of oil are needed every year around the world. Surely, this precious resource should not be wasted on producing plastic bags, should it?

So, What can you do?
Single-use bags have become such a easy way of life that it seems as if we simply cannot do without them. However, if we have the will, we can start reducing their use in small ways.

A cloth bag can make a good substitute for holding the shopping. You can keep the bag in your car,with the cashier, and then put your purchases into it instead of the usual plastic bag.
Recycling the bags you already have is another good idea. These can come into use for various purposes, like holding your garbage, instead of purchasing new ones.

While governments may be working out ways to lessen the impact of plastic bags on the environment, however, each of us should shoulder some of the responsibility for this problem, which ultimately harms us. Cut down on your use of plastic, and do your bit to save our planet.