Remember those days when we were told that using paper causes destruction of trees. Many campaigns were launched to reduce its consumption. Movements to save trees could be seen all over, even today. The paper packets started vanishing. Most must be remembering we used to get many snacks from the street seller in paper bags (called 'thongas' in some areas). Even poor people used to make these paper bags from old newspapers and earn a living.
And then came plastic. We thought that here comes the saviour of trees in real sense. It did make a difference too. One can see plastic bags, plates, spoons, glasses, bottles... everywhere.
We used it and disposed it, and where did it go? Our of our homes, yes, but ultimately where did it go? It went to the dumping sites, collected in every corner, choked drains... Today drive down any city suburb and see the amount of plastic in trash, all over. Travel by train and see outside the window how plastic waste is dumped everywhere just outside the city. And we have hundreds of thousands staying in such unhygienic conditions in these suburbs, taking a heavy toll on their health.
We have realised now, though pretty late, that this 'god sent' plastic is in fact killing us. It can not be destroyed. It is entering our body in one form or the other. One of the major causes of the ever increasing cancer patients and other sorts of illness is said to be over use of plastic. Often hear news of how these plastic bags filled with kitchen waste and thrown here and there find their way in the stomach of cows causing their death too. Recently a video went viral showing how the plastic bottles and bags thrown in the sea transforms in micro particles, by being hit repeatedly by waves, and then finds its way in the stomach of fishes causing their death.
Now, what has happened is that we once again want to switch back to paper. From throw away plastic cups, plates etc to paper ones or other alternatives, from plastic bottles to glass/metal bottles, etc. Just possible, that after a few decades we will invent something else; after a few decades realise its ill effects and then invent something else. This cycle will go on.
The ONLY lasting solution lies in reducing our consumption of everything, not only plastic. We are concerned about water shortage, or power or fuel shortage. We are extracting minerals from mother earth, which is not going to last long. Many argue that if this campaign is taken too far, it will lead to closure of business, factories, make millions jobless, the GDP will nose dive... But, then what's the better alternative?
Reducing consumption is also directly related to the steep increase in our population. The more people we have the more will be the requirement of everything. Serious thought, a change in mindset, is the immediate need.
The decision has to be ours to address this issue. All this can not be left to the rulers, the politicians or leaders. Yes, someone has to take this forward. Why not you and me. Or else our children and their children will never forgive us.
