The order issued by the Deputy Commissioner Itanagar Capital Region to ensure zero inventory of single use plastics at commercial establishments, markets,wholesellers etc by June 30, 2022 is one which evokes hope in the fight against the monumental plastic wastes problem. 
The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change,  Govt of India issued notification dated 12th August 2021 which mandated banning of identified single use plastic (SUP) items and prescribed minimum thickness of carry bag with effect from 1st July 2022. The pledge is the most ambitious yet of the global actions to combat plastic pollution that are taking place in 60 nations around the world.
While it remains to be seen, how well the call is adopted by the public, it is however clear that the very first step towards addressing this ginormous man-made problem has been taken. Plastic waste pollution today is a pressing issue for the health of the planet. It has reached such frightening proportions which can no longer be ignored. In this context the call to end single-use plastics is a huge win for the environment.
The on-the-go lifestyle today has given rise to a culture of use and throw. Easily disposable products ranging from bottled water, cutlery etc are all causing to spiralling plastic waste build-up. Close to 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated across India every day, of which more than 10,000 tonnes stays uncollected. With most plastic products taking close to 1,000 years to decompose; the environment is paying a hefty price for these cheap disposables.
Plastic today is so deeply entrenched in our lifestyle that even imagining to eliminate it is nothing short of a folly. On the other hand, the resolve to eliminate single-use plastics is largely doable and will greatly ease the plastic waste burden. This will work on many levels. First being,  there is waste management and there is plastic waste management to be precise. Even when waste management is a pressing concern for administrations the latter poses the biggest challenge as it needs a different approach all together. Without addressing this issue, there is not much meaning to waste management. And a listless and ill-equipped administration is hardly competent to tackle the overpowering plastic waste problem.
Secondly, the end to single-use plastic will help revive rural economy by rekindling the lost art of using leave-based plates, cups etc which have fallen into disuse due to plastic based products. This is a window of opportunity for the people at the grassroots to earn in a sustainable fashion.
Safeguarding the environment is every individual’s duty. There should not be a caveat from the top for us to respond to the call of the times—single-use plastic reduction. Making small changes in our daily life can translate in a big way for the environment at large. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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