Cloth Bags are the best and proper alternative to plastic bags used for vegetables, fruits, grocery and dry item. The issues related to wet items, fragile items can be solved if everyone puts further thought. A simpler alternative is to carry your own steel container, tupperware daba, etc. The main focus should be to reduce solid waste disposed out of the house. Thus everyone should try his best to use carry bag or packaging stuff that can be used for long term. Milk used to be supplied in bottles earlier in Mumbai. If we brainstorm best alternatives can come to our finger tips, we can then pressure the administration and government to enforce eco friendly packaging in every food, edible item. Our problems can be only be solved by uniting instead of being divided. If we can solve the problem of plastics by uniting then we can solve bigger problems of the country.

What about verka /vita milk pouch moreover, big firms are not covered, only small petty trader will be loose their work.although this good move but should be impermeable to all it restive of co. size.

This is what happens when government runs amok and makes laws that are basically just suitable for Hogwarts! How do I shop for meat now? It leaks! Paper bags break and all my groceries go running on the pavement! Who made this crazy law. Do you have any idea about how much suffering this causes us? All the environment people have you ever tried carrying 12 eggs in a newspaper bag? How do you carry a kilo of sugar in a paper bag! How do you carry a leak plastic pouch containing refined oil in a paper bag?

Guess what paper is made of by the way? TREES!!! Stop breathing if you want to protect the environment. The people who run my city never did visit a market and did an honest week's shopping before they made this mixed up law. Our life has become a living misery, THANK YOU SO MUCH CHANDIGARH ADMINISTRATION!!

I sincerely oppose the above comments and i ask all the above commenters not to give wrong information here in the website which is daily browsed by thousands of childrens, They will take wrong things as the right one's from all your words. None can justify the use plastic carry bag in domestic use, its just as a result of lazy peoples activity and plastic lobby keeps running whole cruel business. Am speaking only about the plastic carry bag which has less than 3o microns. Don't try to justify this by saying the overall plastic use in various other essential sectors like health care blood packaging and thick packages in FMCG sector, which are acceptable a bit. Now the chandigarh act discusses only about use and throw poly bags used for shopping every day. Who dares to justify this. Plastic carry bags are harmful. Injurious to the ecosystem. Don't encourage the plastic lobby.
Jai Hind
B.Vivek
Researcher, Chennai. Am interested respond to anyone's argument. capparisvivek22mcc@gmail.com.

It's a too good step!!! more interested people may togather & make their own state/district/UT to follow Chandigarh Admin.

C'mon people, unite like this :
http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=36023162
&
(for tamilnadu esp.)
http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=51632306

Many contries incl. China has totally banned plastic bag contry-wide!

Where as many other contries did it partially, e.g. pakistan did it for 'sindh' province!!

let's create a wave out of this, not to miss this opportunity;
Make ur war cry "Bring Your Own (cotton/jute/coconut fibre) Bag" (BYOB!!)

STOP POLIBAG
IMMEDIATE ban of plasticbag is needed to save
chandigarh . sufficient ALTERNATIVES are available
in the market BYOB ie Bring Your Own Bags .

chandigarh adm should also declare A FINE of
Rs 10/- pr bag ,and Rs 500/- to shopkeeper .
POLLUTERS to PAY .. Plastic bag ban can reverse
the effect of GLOBAL WARMING and save ISLAND mations
and FLASH FLOODS in coastal INDIA.
all other state govts must STOP POLYBAG

i think this problem is rising day by day hence to solve these kindda problem will have 2 take these kind of measures...

nice work man. a good start,

Ref No.: 5/AIPIA/08 24th March 2008.

To

The Secretary Environment,
Chandigarh Administration,
(Deptt. of Environment),
U.T. OF CHANDIGARH
CHANDIGARH.

Sub : Filing of Objection against Draft Notification
No.ED/08/125 dated 11th February 2008.

Dear Sir,

We have noted with regret the contents of the above Notification contemplating a complete ban on polythene / plastic bags in the U.T. of Chandigarh. We would like to file our following objections / suggestions which may kindly be considered and the proposed ban be withheld considering all its ramifications.

I. It is distressing to note that the Chandigarh Administration which took a comparatively balanced view and had imposed partial restriction vide its Notification No.ED/2006/1069 to 1070 dated 6-11-2006 and had given the following advise:

“ Department of Environment
Chandigarh Administration

No.: ED/2006/1069 to 1070 dated 06-11-2006

To
1) The Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh.
2) The Chief Engineer, U.T. Chandigarh.

Sub : Use of Polythene Bags in Road Construction

Chandigarh Administration was contemplating to impose complete ban on Polythene bags. A draft Notification inviting objections/representation from public was issued on 6.12.05. “While analyzing objections, it noted that solution lies in proper collection, segregation and safe disposal of polythene carry bags and not in its complete ban. It was also observed by them that polythene carry bags may be used in road construction. I am therefore, directed to request you to take following steps to ensure safe and proper disposal of plastic carry bags:

1) Municipal Corporation should ensure proper collection and safe disposal of the plastic carry bags.

Contd Page 2

- Page 2 -

2) Engineering Department and Municipal Corporation may buy and use plastic bags in road construction. “

It is paradoxical that the same Chandigarh Administration is now deeming it prudent to impose a complete ban.

- In our considered opinion completely banning plastic bags would deprive
general public of a useful, all weather proof, reusable and ultimately recyclable good product like plastic bags which have very effectively substituted cloth, jute and paper bags because of their usefulness and are immensely popular all over the world including India and Chandigarh.

Neither paper bags nor cloth bags or jute bags can be used for example during rainy season and are comparatively cumbersome whereas plastic bags are found most convenient and inexpensive.

Negative Implications of a Total Ban :

Imposing a complete ban as contemplated will hurt the entrepreneurs engaged in their production and will also deprive the labour force gainfully employed by them of their livelihood.

Plastic Bags Eminently Environment Friendly :

It is also incorrect to say that plastic bags harm the environment. On the contrary, plastic bags are eminently environment friendly since they help preserve forests for example, which are to be denuded for manufacturing of paper for producing paper bags.

The plastic bags are reusable and ultimately recyclable many times over. Therefore, they help in preserving of resources, energy etc comparatively.

Environmental Clutter is the only problem :

The only problem with regard to plastic bags is the environmental clutter which gets created because of the lax habits of the common man who discards used plastic bags casually anywhere and everywhere.

Obviously, civic agencies are unable to handle and dispose solid wastes effectively including such casually thrown plastic bags which are usually more visible due to their scattered presence.

Blaming plastic bags solely for clogging of drains and severages is also not correct, since drains can get choked even by paper / cloth / wood and other refuse.

Civic Agencies Need to Ginger-up :

In the event civic agencies ensure proper and continuous cleaning of drains the same would not get choked and blaming plastic bags, in this regard, is unfortunate and unjustified.

Contd Page 3

- Page 3 -

In order to tackle the problem of aforesaid environmental clutter the Administration of U.T. of Chandigarh would do well by directing the civic agencies to ensure proper sweeping, cleaning of roads, drains etc. while directing them to provide two types of bins for disposal of biodegradable & non-biodegradable wastes by general public in the same.

It would also be necessary for the administration to promote two-bin culture by educating the general public by using print and visual media.

Soft Option Should Be Discarded :

The proposition of complete ban is patently a soft option which should not be exercised considering entirety of the matter.

In fact, the recycling activity could be encouraged by the Administration by providing suitable plots of land and soft loans so that entrepreneurs could put up recycling facility using latest technology for manufacture of alternate products out of the plastic wastes including used plastic bags.

Mis-impression / Mis-information regarding Plastics Must Be Removed :

There is a lot of mis-impression / mis-information regarding the so-called harmful effects of plastics in general and polythene/plastic bags in particular on the environment. In this context, we can do no better than reproduce below the contents of an answer given by Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers to a “Starred Question No.294 in Lok Sabha on 19/3/2007:

“Plastics are chemically inert materials and are generally not hazardous substance per-se. Most of the plastics are re-processable and recyclable in nature. However, inadequate segregation and collection of post consumer plastic waste may create problems.”

Concluding Remarks :

We believe our aforesaid objections / suggestions would be duly considered by the Chandigarh Administration for not imposing the proposed ban on plastic bags in the overall interest.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,
For All India Plastic Industries Association,

Sd/-

(V.P. Bhardwaj)
Secretary General.

Plastic is very useful and friendly, it's boon to us, use appropritaely. Handle carefully, but, don't blame it. The way you mould a baby, he will reciprocate in the same manner, but don't blame the baby.

THIS IS REGARDING THE PROPOSED BAN OF POLYTHENE
A FEW POINTS
1.WE HAVE NO VIABLE ALTERNATIVE AS USE OF PAPER BAGS WILL BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND ULTIMATELY WILL FINISH OUT ALL TREES
2.POLYTHENE CARRY BAGS HELP IN MAINTAINING HYGIENE LEVELS AS THEY HELP TO PROTECT THE FOOD WHICH WE EAT FROM BEING INFECTED
3. WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO REUSE THE PLASTIC BAGS.
4. THE PROFIT MARGIN OF A SHOP KEEPER IN SELLING SUGAR IS ROUGHLY LESS THAN ONE RUPEE PER KG. WILL HE BE ABLE TO GIVE A PAPER BAG WORTH RS.5/- TO A CUSTOMER WHO BUYS 1 KG OF SUGAR
5. THE SHOP KEEPER USE POLTYHENE BAGS AS A FREE SERVICE TO HIS CUSTOMER AND SHELLS OUT LARGE SUMS OF MONEY TO PROVIDE BETTER QUALITY BAGS FOR HIS CUSTOMER SERVICE.HE HAS NO DIRECT PROFIT FROM POLYTENE BAGS. THEN WHY DO WE SAY THAT THE TRADERS ARE AGAINST THE BAN. THIS BAN WILL ULTIMATELY AFFECT THE CUSTOMER AND THIS MIGHT REDUCE THE BUSINESS OF A COMMON TRADER WHO INEVETABELY WILL HAVE TO PAY HIS RENT AND HIS EMPLOYEES.WE ARE GOING TO EFFECT SO MANY PEOPLE FINANCIALLY.CANT THERE BE A MORE EFFECTIVE GARBAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM WHICH PREVENT THE POLYTHENE BAGS FROM ULTIMATELY REACH THE DRAINS?!

I read comments of people like Mr. S C Aggarwal, I also searched for information for whether he is right. My study of the subject shows that plastics are the safest and most friendly materials in modern times. They are the least polluting and damaging when it comes to comparisons with other alternatives. Somebody here in his comments have rightly said that replacing platic with paper would lead to huge deforestation, which will disturb our environment. The admn. should not recklessly approach a complete ban without actually going into the details of actual facts.

I do not agree with the blanket ban of Plastics bags by the Chandigarh Administration. Plastics permeate every aspect of life right from drinking water storage & conservation, energy conservation, irrigation, life-saving medical equipments, artificial body parts, prosthetics, key part of Infrastructural development, transportation,defence & space programmes to being part of disaster Management.Plastics have the least Energy requirement for the production of material used in Packaging as compared to other conventional materials like aluminium, steel, glass & paper. These are proven facts arrived after concentrated studies.
A knife in the wrong hand can extinguish a promising life but in the right hand it is the most useful kitchen tool.
A child under wrong guidance can become a criminal whereas with correct guidance the same child can be a productive human being contributing to the benefit of the society.
Problem related to Plastics is not the material itself but the after-usage.Why Plastics Littering is not a problem in the west? Because the govt.there is vigilant about littering, has suitable ant-littering laws, has proper enforcement systems and every citizen is made to be aware of their civic sense.Why do people in this country have the freedom to throw anything anywhere rather than designated places? Have you ever seen the walls of many stairwells in public places - all coloured with "Paan Residual". Do we ban "Paan chewing" or spitting!
Why could we not develop a meaningful system of waste disposal instead of going around banning things! Why can we not solve this problem of littering by engaging the administration and the Plastics Industry in a meaningful dialogue without any prejudices!
I believe - Every problem has a solution and Let us as Indian Citizens look at the larger picture on the canvas of this country -like how to educate every citizen of India, how to give employment to everybody, how to alleviate poverty and importantly how to increase the Foodgrain Production so that nobody in this country goes hungry.

Ban on use, manufacture, storage as well as import of carry bags is one way to stop littering and keeping our city 'plastic bag free'.If we follow this logic then there can be a ban on everything which we cannot control. Should we ban the use of buses and cars if there are accidents on the roads every day or should we ban the use of LPG and petrol as they can catch fire and are lyable to endanger lives if not used carefully or we ban the use of banannas as the bananna skin thrown on the road can be hazardous to the people who accidently step on it and can break their legs.Like this we have so many areas which may require banning if we want our people and animals to be absolutely safe.In practise we donot do this. Instead we find solution to the problems and if required strict discipline is enforced.

Presently our per capita consumption of plastics is one of the lowest in the world.All the developed countries despite very high per capita consumption handle the waste very efficiently and we dont see any waste littered on the streets.People are aware that they have to throw the waste in the designated bins.Understand that in places like Singapore, if people are found to litter, they are made to carry out social service in that area for a few days. The laws of the land support such penalties. In addition the shopkeepers ensure that there is no garbage outside their shops as they are penalised for not keeping their area clean. We can think of similar laws in our states also and will get the same solution without banning the use of plastic bags which have become an integral part of our daily life.

We have come across two extreme examples of efficient waste management in the developed countries.One in which the whole community participates and another where excellent system of collection and disposal from the residence is done.Both the examples however have the recycling facilities either alone or in collaboration with the supplier who operate their own collection centres and recycle the waste and use the same in their manufacturing process.On the other hand government provides the facilities and charge a tax to meet the expenses of recycling/inciniration etc and are able to keep their cities clean. We however need to develop our own process after seeing the effectiveness of the above two approaches as the main difference would be in collection of the plastic waste which in the developed countries is done free of cost whereas in our country, the collection centres may have to pay for the plastic waste delivered by a resident.We understand Chandigarh also has an efficient system of collection in place.

While appreciating the excellent work done by the Chandigarh Administration in keeping the city clean, it is necessary to further improve our system of collection and disposal so that plastic waste is not seen on the roads. This calls for mass awareness programme to educate the people not to throw waste on the streets but to throw the garage only in the designated bins.This will help in better collection of waste which needs to be segregated and sent for further processing as being done in Chandigarh also.At a later stage a'State of Art' recycling unit can also be put up so that the daily plastic waste is sent for recycling or inciniration to generate electricity.Once our people are aware to throw garbage in the designated bins we will not see any plastic bags lying on the streets and we will have our cities 'free of plstic carry bags'.

Ther is a need for the industry to participate inthe state activities especially in the area of keeping our cities clean.This will help in finding low cost innovative solutions. Once the recyled products are marketed this can become a good business proposition and entrepreneurs will come on their own to put up such facilities. However, they will require the support of the state government in getting land as well as infrstructure to operate such units effeciently. Peoples participation will make our programme not only successful but also earn us respect throughout the country.Other sttes will follow our footsteps gladly.

We look forward to the peoples participation in Chandigarh to ensure an efficient scientific collection and disposal system once a mass awareness programme is carried out. Chandigarh is one of the cleanest city in the country today and can easily become a true international city if our people are made aware of role they need to play in achieving this objective.If required we can take help our renowned institutes like IIT, IIP, IPI, CIPET etc in working out a plan as well as in its implementation.I am sure they will be too glad to help in finding a solution which can avoid a ban on such a useful product which is a solution to many of our packaging and storage needs.

Plastics should not be banned.It is not harmful to health and to environment.Chd adm.should take necessary steps to tackle the problem of littering and desposage of plastic carry bags.
Thanks

May I request Mr.S.C.Aggarwal to forward some authentic proof on his commentS?
Mr. Aggarwal may read carefully the comments made by Mr.V. Merchant.

It's a very shocking news that our government is going to ban plastic from April.According to me, the government is taking a wrong step. Banning plastics is not the right step.But the need of the hour is to recycle plastic waste.Moreover, recycled plastic can be used to produce fuel. The government is worried about how to recycle plastic. I think I can help you. The government build such factories which could recycle plastic wastes. I would like to say this much only.

PLASTIC BAG IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR LIFE,THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THAT,EVEN BLOOD IS ALSO PACKED IN PLASTIC BAGS.ADMINISTRATION SHOULD RATHER DISPOSE IT PROPERLY.IF WE USE ALL PAPER BAGS ,IT IS NOT USEFUL FOR RATION,KIRANA & SWEET SHOP.THESE ITEMS CANNOT BE PACKED IN ANY OTHER PACKING MATERIAL,NEITHER THEY CAN AFFORD SUCH BAGS.PLASTIC BAGS CAN BE USED UNLIMITED NUMBER OF TIMES,THIS IS RECYCLABLE & THERE IS NO WASTAGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES AS IT IS IN THE CASE OF PAPER BAGS.I AM GIVING THESE VIEWS OR IDEAS NOT FOR PERSONALLY,AS I AM ALSO RUNNING A SAREES & SUITS SHOWROOM,WE USE BOTH PAPER & PLASTIC BAGS BUT CUSTOMER PREFERS POLY BAGS BECAUSE IT CAN BE USED AGAIN & AGAIN IN DAY TO DAY LIFE.YOU JUST THINK LIFE WITHOUT PLASTIC BAGS.

Banning plastics is NOT the step in right direction. By banning the most common, convenient and safe method of packaging, we are not only promoting our ignorance to right disposal methods but also the depletion of forests faster than ever.

The solution here is not to ban plastics but promote the use of DEGRADABLE plastic bags. These plastics decompose in the environment and are safe for humans and animals alike.
OR
The government should organise special system of re-using the plastic.

When I heard the news of banning the use of polythene, I was shocked.The government should not have done so.I am totally disagreed with this act of the government. I read all the letters above. Out of them,the first two letters seemed that they were written by the persons who don't want the welfare of their society. The government's only problem is how to recycle plastic waste.

[quote comment="4470"]My heartiest congratulations to the administrators/officers who have thought of putting a total ban on the use of plastic bags. I hope all residents of Chandigarh will accept this suggestion and implement the ban wholeheartedly.This ban is in the interest of nation especially agriculturists and animals. This example will be followed by other city dwellers in different parts of India.

S.C. Aggarwal,
Founder, Poverty Trust.[/quote]
The problem is not the plastic bag but the disposal of waste and litter. Wherever the local authorities participate in awareness drives and provide adequate waste bins plastic bag litter is not a problem. The local body must enforce anti litter laws and educate masses about Bin Culture in this modern age. Litter will not stop by banning polybags. Other waste of packing like boards, paper, laminates etc. will continue. The administration needs to learn from successful anti litter drives and work with industry to keep cities clean.See Dubai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Muscat, things are under control, cities are clean.Bags per say do not pollute they are for carrying goods safely and then after use sent for recycling by segregated waste collection.

Its a good topic for discussion. Plastic is a part of our life today, to close plastic is not a easy task. by force is a crime. Plastic is so convenient and economically ment for general people. this dosn’t mean that i support plastic use. yes i do support plastic use. BUT stopping plastic is not the sollution. We the people have to be aware of the situtation. My suggesition
1. Garbage collector should not accept the plastic bags daily.
2. People should store the bags for a month in there house.
3. Garbage collector should collect the bags in a month and can be recycled.

Thanks

Plastics have become a part of our daily life. We really can't imagine life without plastics. In fact, we start our day with a toothbrush which is made up of plastics only. There are many other applications where there is no alternative but to use plastics. Plastics play a major role in food packaging and healthcare. Some of the life saving drugs are packed in plastics whereas many plastic parts are used in human surgeries.

Plastics bags are reusable/recycleable, non toxic and are human friendly. We use LPG at our home, which is highly inflammable. Careless use of LPG may cause fire resulting in loss of life and property. Can we stop using LPG due to fear of fire?

We must take appropriate steps to tackle the problem of littering and desposal of plastic carry bags.

Plastics adds value to our life so they should be used properly rather than being banned.

The fast growing city like Chandigarh witnessing ban on Plastic Carry Bags is unfortunate. These kind of bans are deterrent in evolution and growth of mankind with modern lifestyle. Alternate solutions like paper which is derived from trees can not support Chandigarh's huge requirement of packaging without affecting enviournment. Depletion of forest would be less accepted menace than so called menace of polythene and plastic carry bags as stated above in support to save city.

This is the age of convenience.Plastic/polythene provides the most convenient system of packaging.If we use paper,it is made from dirty and chemically bleached material.Paper is made from wood.utting of more and more trees for wood will make our earth barren.Cloth and jute bags are also neither hygienic nor viable.The administration should think how to manage the plastic litter rather than thinking of banning the necessary
devil.Taming the devil and making it suitable should be the main subject.
Thank you.

After reading the news of banning the plastic,ideas come in my mind that why the Government think that plastics are need to banned?
As we all know,plastics plays important role in our daily life in many ways.Plastic is the cheapest source than paper and other packing materials.The main default is the way of disposal and litering.The Administration should look forward on lacking points of waste management rather than banning plastic,rules must be frammed by The Government on the issue of disposal.
Thank you!

I strongly feel that the chd. admns. move to ban plastic is not only shocking but also harmful for the environment. The decision makers at the admn. are going to set wrong examples without having the knowledge of scientific facts regarding plastics. Countries like Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Korea, Japan, France, USA are using various forms of plastic packaging freely but sensibly. They have a proper disposal system in place. And that is exaxctly what we need to work upon. All other alternatives of packing like paper, cloth, jute etc are much more harmful for envirnment. They will lead to mass deforestation and quick depletion of our green cover. Admn. should not act on the myths that prevail upon plastics rather should get their facts and figures right and work smart towards the right disposal. They should set the example in smart and effective disposal of waste, if they are so willing to lead the country with positive moves. If we have a mild pain in the eye, we do not get rid of the eye but the pain. Total ban would lead to more cities following the trend and eventually Chandigarh would be resposible for the mass level disasterous effects on the environment and its resourses. Furthermore if we go more into the well reserached scientific facts, we find that the plastics are the least harmful and most flexible and cost effective than everything else.
Animals do not die after eating plastic bags but responsible are we humans who through food in those bags.
Upon burning plastics just emit carbon dioxide same as we humans do while exhaling.
Plastics do not choke severage pipes as surveys have shown that the content of plastics in the total waste have found
to be less than 5%.
Plastics can be used and reused a no of times and can be safely recycled.
Plastic waste can be put to various uses.
The only solution lies in the proper disposal and curbing free throw away culture in our society.
Some awareness, some stern actions and some good systems should solve the problem to a large extent.
All admn. needs is to think creatively and act proactively.
They can save the environment from disasters and win a lot of laurels for themselves.

Banning plastics is NOT the step in right direction. By banning the most common, convenient and safe method of packaging, we are not only promoting our ignorance to right disposal methods but also the depletion of forests faster than ever.

The solution here is not to ban plastics but promote the use of DEGRADABLE plastic bags. These plastics decompose in the environment and are safe for humans and animals alike.

It is very shocking news that how come a idle city for India (i.e.Chandigarh) not allowed Plastic bags. In my opinion that is not the solution.Chandigarh Govt. is going through short-cut not applying their intelectual minds.Ban to plastics is not a solution, I think you have to find out route to literate people of Chandigarh to dispose plstic bags in good manner like collection of garbage including plastics bags from each house hold , dispose in proper dust bins (recycle mark bins). Educate Chandigarh people is right manner.

Plastic bags are so cheap to produce, sturdy, plentiful, easy to carry and store that they have captured at least 90 percent of the grocery and convenience store market and almost 100 % of confectionaries and FMCG packaging. They are used by everyone in plenty but no one cares for their proper disposal. As a result, the totes are everywhere. They sit balled up and stuffed into the one that hangs from the pantry door. They line bathroom trash bins. They clutter landfills. They flap from trees. They float in the breeze. They clog roadside drains. They drift on the high seas etc. And sooner then we realize environmentalists start screaming that they cause – “Plastic Pollution”.

Did you know that - compared to paper grocery bags, plastic grocery bags consume 40 percent less energy, generate 80 percent less solid waste, produce 70 percent fewer atmospheric emissions, and release up to 94 percent fewer waterborne wastes.

Banning is the strategy of the failed ideology of command and control. It will not work and will make matters worse. This will encourage corruption and bribery. The police will use the ban as an excuse to beat the shopkeepers to extract even more than they already do.

The problem is not plastic bags but their careless disposal.

After raeding the news about ban on plastics i was wondering how is it possible to live without plastic carry bags. We have become so dependant on carry bags for carrying our every day commodities as no other substance can take its place.

Plastics are recycleable and easy to use and moreover they are not at all toxic.

We must take appropriate steps to tackle the problem of littering and desposage of plastic carry bags.

Plastics are our great assets so they should be used properly rather than being banned.

No doubt plastics play an important part in our life. It would be really tough to carry things for us and the paper bags cannot be used to carry every kind of stuff.
I just came to australia 6 months back and I was amazed to see that plastic carry bags are widely used here to carry every day items. If plastic bags have been toxic then i must say the other countries would have banned carrying eating stuff in them. But its not like that. Plastics are not toxic rather paper is toxic due to application of chemicals on them.

The amazing thing is that there is proper desposal of the plastics, no littering and dustbins are placed at a distance of every 10 steps.
It is usually said that other countries use paper bags... NO we cannot say before we actually go there and see what exactly is.

Every country is aware that using paper bags means cutting of trees and this is the major harm to the environment then why not use the plastics because it can be used, desposed and decomposed easily without harming the nature.
So I request the concerned autjorities not to ban the plastic carry bags and instead make the general public aware of use and desposal of plastic carry bags.
THANK YOU
Inderpreet Kaur
(Australia)

I m living in Australia and I see here that every item (including vegetable, frozen and cooked food, other stuff of day to day use) is sold and carried in plastic carry bags. On one hand if they are using plastic carry bags, on the other they have proper ways to despose and decompose the plastics. We must find appropriate ways to decompose the carry bags as the other countries do.
Nothing is impossible in this world and even the plastic research and experts say that neither plastic is toxic nor it is harmful to health and moreover there are many ways to dispose and decompose the carry bags. Infact we can use the plastics for several useful purposes like making roads etc.

Some say use papers bags, I DISAGREE because that will lead ultimate harm to trees and anyone can see how many trees are left in the city areas of India.
The fault lies on our part and not on the plastics. If we use them, despose them properly, I must say there will not be any problem arising out of use of plastics.
Plastic is the solution to our many problems and we should work towards implementing this solution in our life rather than imposing ban on it.

Don't say no to plastic!! Know plastic ! Use Plastic Save Green!
7 lacs of trees are saved every year by plastic packing of apples alone in India.30 kilograms of wood gives 5 kgs of paper.
1kg plastic is enough to save 30 kg of wood.We should save greenary and add healthy atmosphere in our life.
Plastic should not be banned ,litering should be banned.

I would like to give my views about plastic which is not harmful.

Life will be difficult without plastic as start from morning toothbrush, buckets, cups, soapdishes, milk packets, tiffens, bottles etc; as it is ease to handle, carry, store, transport from one place to another. It is the cheapest source of packaging.

Just think of life without plastic...

Plastic is not bad. The bad thing is our careless attitude. We use it and throw it. This is not good. The government should create awareness. The right way of waste disposal should be added in school curriculum. The administration should understand its responsibility and should not pass the buck to others by simply saying that they could not get the desired results. Even then I thank the government as they think about environment. I request them to have a constructive approach so that general public may not feel any inconvenience as polythene has not got any suitable alternative.

Thanks.

Plastic itself is not a toxic material. In 21st century, it is basic need to preserve food grain, fruits, vegetables and processesd food in fresh and hygeinc condition for a long time.

Plastic is the only alternative resource than paper, jute and cloth.

Instead of banning plastic, we should use plastic waste to construct high quality roads mixing with bitumen upto 20% and save Rs 20,000 money on every 1 kilometre 14 feet wide road. So I opose the proposal to ban plastic. The litering problem should be solved by providing proper waste management.

I would like to add some points here that plastics has served the society from long back and is now one of the most utilized commodity by a common man. But due to unawareness and carelessness, these have been littered all across resulting in various problems. Our or government’s actual approach should be to tackle the littering problem rather than banning the plastic bags cause these plastics are non poisonous and recyclable to a number of times. Many countries like China, Germany, have taken the initiative to tackle this littering issue for good and by this they have able to achieve cleaner environment and prevented deforestation because of reduced paper usage. We can use plastics as a blessing rather than a curse.

After reading the head line I started thinking how many Plastics Products we use since morning till retiring to bed at night. Can we now start discard such products one by one like a TOOTH BRUSH, A TAMPER EVIDENT MILK POUCH, TO A BATHROOM SLEEPER, To A Recron PILLOW.
Let us think for a while, we start discarding each of them,what will happen? We don't have enogh cotton for clothing or other natural products to fill the gap.
I JUST STARTED WONDERING WHETHER WE ARE GOING BACK TO CAVE AGE??? WHO WILL REPLY?

Polythene is the most hygienic mode of packing. It is neither toxic nor injurious to health. Paper is toxic and chemically bleached item. It consumes the already depleting forest cover. So polythene should not be banned as it has no alternative. Its disposal is the main problem which should be streamlined.

Plastic is not bad but our litering habbit is bad.We should not throw it in the public place and parks.
Plastic is useful thing which is used everywhere in shopping ;to carry goods easily and handle properly; to preserve fruits,vegetables,and other eatable goods fresh for long time. If it will going to be banned then how will we carry and store liquids in cloth or paper bag?
I request the Administration that plastic should not be banned but litering problem should be solved.
Thanks

Polythene/plastic bags have become integral part of our lives.They provide us safe and ISI certified packaging mode. The present day world has no alternative of plastic.They are neither toxic nor injurious to health.Actually our wrong disposal system has created menace.We will have to change our free throwaway attitude.The government should penalise the persons making litter rather than thinking of banning such boon which is serving the society in a big way by saving paper which is toxic packaging mode and also consumes our already depleting forest cover.

I am hereby to share my views that plastic packing is not harmful material as it is widely used in packing of food, medicine, water and dairy products etc; because plastic is safe and hygenic to preserve the food items.
It is the duty of every citizen to use and dispose off plastic properly.There is no other alternative of plastic neither paper nor cloth.
Instead of banning, the Administration should take care of proper collection and disposal.
Thanking you!

Heartiest congrates to CA.Why can't it be implemented all over the country?
Our elders were wiser than us.The so-called developed countries have followed what our elders were doing.A CLOTH BAG or Gandhi thela must be msde compulsory.
In Gujarat so many cows have died 'coz of ingestion of plastic bags.Many of our hills & mountains are plagued with this menace.GPCB & CPCB shouldn't waste any time for enacting this.
Same is true for ETS.We have not risen against this number 1 preventable cause of M&M.
Congratulations once again!

My heartiest congratulations to the administrators/officers who have thought of putting a total ban on the use of plastic bags. I hope all residents of Chandigarh will accept this suggestion and implement the ban wholeheartedly.This ban is in the interest of nation especially agriculturists and animals. This example will be followed by other city dwellers in different parts of India.

S.C. Aggarwal,
Founder, Poverty Trust.