The Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 forbid the production, importation, stockpiling, distribution, sale, and use of specific single-use plastic (SUP) goods with effect from July 1, 2022. Single-use plastics will no longer be allowed from July 1, 2022, according to a notification from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a government agency under the Ministry of Environment.
The Center has also released a list of objects that would be prohibited, which includes cotton buds with sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, straws, disposable cutlery, takeout containers, straws and stirrers, and processed food packs and wrappers. The manufacturing, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of single-use plastic, including products made of polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, will be prohibited starting on July 1, 2022, according to a notification from the Central Government.
The government of Nagaland has also reinforced the center’s notification, following which the Mokokchung Municipal Council has also notified the same. However, from a casual survey done by Mokokchung Time, despite Mokokchung’s commendable efforts to ban plastics items, it still lacks a robust mechanism to make the ban worthwhile.
Restaurants and huge wholesale retailing shops are seen selling plastic cutlery while earbuds, sweet boxes, candy sticks are a regular thing. Nonetheless, thanks to general awareness created among the masses over the years on the menace of plastic pollution, some conscientious individuals as well as business entities have adopted plastic-free principles which is encouraging.
Alen Pongen, owner of Mesangyong restaurant said that they do not have an alternative for plastic spoons yet although they are searching for one now. “It would be preferable,” according to street food seller Uttam Dey, “if a superior substitute with a lower price was offered.”
“Compared to plastics, the cost of bamboo and wood cutlery is quite high. Therefore, it will be more beneficial if the government offers a solution by encouraging regional handicrafts at a lower cost,” he opined.
The proprietor of the Bharati Store, Rajkumar, admitted that he is in possession of plastic supplies but that, as a result of the ban, he will no longer sell them. “We are compelled to retain them in stock and stop selling them,” he added.
Hotel Sandwich owner Achila stated that they would need to look for an alternative, such as wood cutlery, and return the plastic cutlery items they have in stock. “We won’t use it anymore because in case if we break the law, a penalty will be imposed and that, in my opinion, will be far more expensive,” she reasoned.
However, other eateries, like Bambusa Restaurant, have a plastic-free policy and claim that the ban won’t affect them. Similarly, owner of Shree Bajarang Store, Raju Rathi, added that it has been three years since he had stopped selling single-use plastics in his store. Meanwhile, Asangla Phom, who runs a chicken/fish stall in Arkong Ward said that it has been a while since she has adopted paper and that the plastic ban will have no impact on her business.
However, many fish stall owners shared that although they can adapt to the papers for the cut fish, it is difficult to sell live fish without plastic bags. “We do not have an alternate choice because the non-plastic bags either leaks or breaks. So, I am not certain how I should sell live fishes,” said a fish stall owner who wished to remain anonymous.
Meanwhile, Ajungla, another fish stall vendor shared the same views. “Even if we asked people to show up with either buckets or tin to purchase live fishes, no one does it; so we do not have a choice but to use the plastic bags,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, a social media user who goes by the handle pongen814 said that use of ‘bioplastic’ should be promoted. “Some disadvantages of single use plastic products are due to its difficulty in collections, economically unviable recycling process, high littering potential in public places, drainage, water bodies, road sides etc which pollutes our environment.
So, in my humble opinion, there should be both municipal (MMC) & community collaborations / participation to control the use of single-use plastic products,” he commented. He also suggested a mass awareness campaign on plastic-free lifestyle. “Let’s be a part of the solution, not a part of pollution,” he remarked.
(This is the first of a 2-part series)