Chennai: Though the State government’s ambitious ban on single-use plastics came into force 1 January, its impact is yet to be seen even in the city limits with a large number of businesses still involving plastics, the same harmful ones.

Even after the order, residents alleged, the manufacture of plastics hasn’t halted in Tamilnadu. So, city-based Peoples Awareness Association has suggested ways to combat this menace.

Speaking to News Today, Peoples Awareness Association secretary V Rama Rao, said, “We welcome the ban on plastics including common non-biodegradable bags which should ultimately take us to a plastic-free world. While governments throughout the world are struggling to combat plastic waste which has turned out to be the biggest environmental problem across the globe, it is heartening to note that, in India so far, 18 states have banned the use of plastics and Tamilnadu government, in consonance with the UN theme, ‘Beat Plastic Pollution,” has joined as the 19th state.’

‘Though the paradigm shift is quite hard to attain, with support from cross sections of the society like environmentalists, like-minded people from various top enterprises, etc., the ban can implemented in its true spirit. The local bodies can also play a vital role in organising programmes like dramas, concerts, dances, etc., among public about the harmful effects of plastics. Warning and subsequent actions can be administered by almost all departments of the government and not just Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).’

Explaining about how businesses have found ways to refrain from adopting plastic ban, Nanganallur resident Sathasivan said, “Due to bio-degradable carry bags made from starch looking very similar to the regular harmful plastic carry bags, I have seen many plastic bags with the tag ‘environmental-friendly’ when they aren’t. Manufacturers have found a way to cheat like this. Secondly, I am able to see a lot of shops using non-woven polypropylene bags. These bags are like wolves in sheep’s clothing. Though they look like a cloth bags, they take over six months to get decomposed becoming a stress for the environment. Thirdly, businesses which involve delivering products doorstep like food deliveries, online products sale deliveries, etc., are blatantly using plastics even today as they are effectively able to hide the products they use to the outside world. Finally, I have spotted a few shop keepers wrapping plastic-packed products with newspapers in a bid to not want to adopt the environment-friendly order.”

“Government should announce the usage of single-use plastics a crime and should facilitate residents to register complaints against the offenders. Secondly, all the plastic manufacturing firms should be closed down unless and until they turn towards eco-friendly products. During the over six-month grace period extended by the government, many plastic manufacturers, instead of making the shift, were ramping up production of the harmful products they were already manufacturing. So, further grace period shouldn’t be granted. Finally, the ban should slowly but surely be made applicable even to multi-national companies,” he added.