It is that time of year when people make shopping lists more frequently. Ganesh Chaturthi and Bakrid have opened the festive season, but as roadside purchasing gathers momentum, plastic carry bags — banned on paper over a year and a half ago — have become ubiquitous. In fact, residents say things have reached a point where the ban is all but forgotten.
“For some days now, I have noticed that plastic bags are being used freely by big and small merchants alike. It is surprising and sad, and it made me wonder if the ban was lifted without our notice. We are already seeing drainages overflowing in this rainy season and these plastic bags falling into them will only make things worse,” said Ashuthosh, a resident of Malleswaram.
His point is corroborated by the staff of a prominent chain of medical stores in the city, who until recently had complied with the ban. They now dole out plastic bags to all those who ask for them. “We succumbed to pressure from our customers. Many of them would not bring their own bags and complained about how the cloth bags and paper covers we had were not sturdy enough,” a staff member said.
The rules issued in 2016 state that “no person, including shopkeeper, vendor, wholesaler, retailer, trader, hawker or salesmen, shall use plastic carry bags, plastic banners, plastic buntings... irrespective of thickness.” The previous ban was only on plastic carry bags less than 40 microns in thickness.
Solid waste management expert N.S. Ramakanth said there were less than five wards in Bengaluru still implementing the total ban. “A few wards in Yelahanka and HSR Layout are doing well. I am part of some 95 to 100 online groups, and complaints about plastic are common. There is no political will to implement the ban. Officials need to devote a few hours every day to keep a check on it,” he said. Mr. Ramakanth added that districts such as Chikkamagaluru were faring better than Bengaluru, mostly because of the sheer size of this city.
‘Raids being held’
But Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials maintained that both raids and awareness programmes were being carried out regularly. Sarfaraz Khan, Joint Commissioner, Solid Waste Management, BBMP, said roadside vendors and small shops were the ones primarily dealing with plastic.
“We are finding small stocks in these shops — about 1.5 kg 3 kg. Many of them are buying from outside. We have also asked the RTO to keep an eye on plastic being brought from outside the State,” he said, adding that some people were even using the exception of packaging material as a loophole.
Citizens driving the ban
In the few wards where the ban is still in effect practically, citizens have taken it upon themselves to ensure implementation. K.S. Sangunni of the Citizens’ Forum, Yelahanka New Town, said, “These things won’t work unless citizens take part in it. We have an eco group on WhatsApp where we put up information whenever plastic is found. We immediately inform the BBMP. Even on Wednesday, officers sent us photos of fines being levied.”
But Kavitha Reddy, a member of Hasiru Mitra, said even in HSR Layout, though greater awareness is evident, plastic has not disappeared. “Instead of plastic, there is polypropylene, which is just as bad. Implementation has not been very fruitful and the alternatives are not working out. Food delivery, for example, is still happening with plastic. Unless manufacturing is tackled, the next step will not happen,” she said.