Three Delhi-NCR individuals on the changes that they have made in their lifestyle to reduce plastic waste
Published: 01st July 2022 08:00 AM | Last Updated: 01st July 2022 08:00 AM | A+ A A-
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With the intention to drive home the message of how gravely plastic waste has impacted the environment, the Centre has implemented a nationwide ban on 19 single-use plastic items—low utility with high-littering potential—starting today.
While adhering to such a ban will in no way be easy, making small and efficient changes can definitely be the way forward to reduce your plastic footprint. Not convinced? Hear it from three individuals who have been mindful of putting a halt to their plastic consumption.
TRY TO LEAD BY ACTION SAUMYA GARG Saumya Garg (25), a psychologist from Ghaziabad, makes it a point to consciously reduce plastic waste every day—she uses manjan for dental care, besan [gram flour] for bathing, shampoo bars with eco-packaging, cloth sanitary pads, etc. “My values are aligned [with environmentalism] so, making changes to live a low-waste lifestyle was easy,” she says. Adding that adopting a plastic-free lifestyle should not be “enforced” on those close to you, Garg concludes, “Don’t push anyone, they will resist it. Always lead by action.”
THE POWER OF SMALL STEPS AARZOO Godara “I stopped using plastic bags since my early college days. However, it was in 2017 when I transitioned to completely and consciously avoiding plastic,” shares Aarzoo Godara (25), a lawyer by profession. Being involved in waste segregation, she adds, helped, “Once I started segregating waste, I saw how much is actually going into the landfills.” Now, she uses bamboo toothbrushes and other non-plastic alternatives for most toiletries and products, “It is easy; when you start adopting simple changes consciously, it becomes a lifestyle.”
ACCEPT, ADOPT AND CHANGE SHRUTI SHARMA It was about two years ago, when East Delhi resident Shruti Sharma (31) became conscious of her choices. “I realised that plastic is creating havoc, so I started taking steps to reduce plastic waste from my life—carrying containers to the grocery store, or taking reusable tumblers, steel straws, containers, switched to menstrual cups, etc.” However, she thinks that acceptance is the biggest challenge she faces. “People think it is okay to use one bottle—but, it is that one bottle used by each of us that makes it a pile of bottles,” she concludes.
689.8 tonnes of plastic waste is generated daily in Delhi—the highest among India’s metropolitan city—as per the ‘State of India’s Environment 2022’ report that was released by the Centre for Science and Environment.
3.5mn tonnes of plastic waste is generated annually in India and the per capita plastic waste generation has almost doubled over the last five years, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said in April.
98% of single-use plastic products are made from fossil fuels.
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