Plastic pollution is one of the most dangerous and neglected environmental issues around the world. It is a gruesome threat to our ecosystem which claims the lives of thousands of marine and terrestrial animals around the world.
Not just animals, humans too are at equal stake of facing the consequences caused by plastic pollution. If not checked on time, the day isn’t far when the world will become a dump yard of non-degradable plastic leaving humans miserably fighting for a fertile piece of land!
It’s the need of the hour that countries all over the world get going to implement measures that curb plastic pollution. Accordingly, in a very thoughtful and much-needed initiative, the New Zealand government has decided to impose a ban on single-use plastic. The rule which enforces from July 1, bans any type of plastic less than 70 microns in thickness.
It includes a plastic bag that’s new or unused and has carry handles which are commonly provided for carrying sold goods. It also covers plastic bags that are made of degradable, biodegradable or oxo-degradable material. The non-handle plastic bags used for storing meat and other products are, however not included.
New Zealand Associate Environment Minister, Eugenie Sage said that the initiative has been taken with a hope of having healthier oceans and environment.
“New Zealanders are proud of our country’s clean, green reputation and want to help ensure we live up to it. The plastic shopping bag ban is one step to tackle New Zealand’s waste issues. We also need to recharge our materials recovery and recycling systems and shift to a circular economy,” Sage said, reports RNZ, New Zealand’s local daily.
The mainstream supermarkets and retailers have already started looking for other environment-friendly alternatives. According to the Earth Policy Institute, the world producers around one trillion non-biodegradable single-use plastic bag waste every year. This means nearly 2 million plastic bags are used and thrown each minute. These numbers are surely something the world should be serious about!
Talking about home, according to TERI, India produces around 5.6 million tonnes of plastic waste per annum. It’s high time, our country takes some serious measures to ban the use of single-use plastics. Indian cities like Chennai, Delhi among others have already implemented the plastic ban. We wish more and more countries take inspiration from New Zealand and enforce a complete ban on plastic soon!