Plastic ban: Reconnecting with nature and her organic solutions

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan.11 (EMN): The ban on single-use plastic (SUP) from October 2, 2019 has in many ways changed the lifestyle of the people.

Raising awareness, practicing recycling and looking out for alternatives/substitutes have—inadvertently— brought mankind closer to nature.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s directive to all states and Union Territories prior to the ban, was to build a plastic waste management system to find SUP alternatives.

Business establishments, big and small, are doing away with SUP.  Sturdy paper straws are replacing plastic straws, Styrofoam servings are being replaced by banana leaves, and ‘thonga’, paper bags and bamboo are coming out as alternatives.

The positive outcome would be less litter on the streets, drainage areas, public places and at homes.

The cultural extravaganza organised by Northern Angami Students Union held at Naga Solidarity Park in Kohima, included a stall that had a couple from Zhadima, teaching students the art of banana plate-making (Mekhuo).

Likewise, many other social gatherings are adhering to the imposition on the ban of SUP., Zhavame village, known for its tag of ‘organic vegetable village,’ in their recently held Zhavame Day saw people from all walks of life using only wooden plates and bamboo cups.

At the local level, many organisations have also taken steps to reduce the use of plastics completely or replace them, like the Southern Angami Youth Organisation’s declaration for the scenic Dzukuo valley as ‘plastic-free zone’ in 2019.

A paper bags production unit, popularly known as ‘Phek Thonga Project’ under the initiative of Phek Town Youth Society, has not only found alternatives for plastic but have generated employment through their initiative.

The administration’s mission on the imposition on the ban of SUP is inching towards its objectives.

However, there is also a need to have a plan for the remaining non-recyclable, dry waste fraction and other categories of plastics.