International Plastic Bag Free Day is aimed at bringing attention to the grave and urgent issues caused by plastic pollution. The majority of us use plastic daily, specifically the thin plastic bags that are used by almost all of the stores we visit. Whether we’re buying groceries or the newest clothing, you can almost always count on leaving the store with a plastic bag filled to the brim with our new purchases.
When we go home, we take them out right away, tossing the plastic aside carelessly. Ever wondered how much we contribute to the rising plastic pollution by using these plastic bags? And how does using these plastic bags impact our health?
Almost 5 trillion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide each year, according to a report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Every year, the world generates 300 million tonnes of plastic waste, which is the weight of the whole human race. The report also issues a warning that by 2050, there may be more plastic in our oceans than fish.
Eventually, International Plastic Bag Free Day was started by Zero Waste Europe’s Bag Free World to decrease the use of plastic bags internationally. Every year on July 3, the day is observed to spread awareness of the serious problems caused by plastic pollution and the significant threat that it causes to the natural environment, including both human beings and animals.
Read on to learn more about the World Plastic Bag Free Day, its significance, and how it impacts people.
History of International Plastic Bag Free Day
As a global initiative, Bag Free World initiated a Plastic Bag Free Day with the primary goal of eliminating single-use plastic bags everywhere. It was launched with the intention of promoting environmental conservation by asking everyone to avoid using plastic bags and instead adopt eco-friendly alternatives.
The campaign was run by Zero Waste Europe’s Bag Free Worldspread internationally, and July 3 was selected as the day to promote the use of eco-friendly alternatives like paper and cloth bags while discouraging the use of single-use plastic bags.
People organize beach clean-up campaigns, vow to stop using plastic, and raise awareness of the dangers of plastic pollution as a way to mark the day.
In India, the Sikkim government had enacted the nation’s first plastic-bag ban in 1998. In an effort to limit the usage of plastic carry bags (20 mm or less in thickness), India established the first plastic waste management regulation in September 1999.
Significance of International Plastic Bag Free Day
Plastic pollution is a global problem that is entirely man-made. Globally, it is estimated that 500 billion plastic bags are consumed. The quality of human life, as well as the environment and wildlife, are seriously harmed by this.
The purpose of the plastic bag free day is to increase awareness of the major problems caused by plastic pollution and the threat that it poses to the ecosystem, including both terrestrial and marine life. Plastic bags pollute the soil when they are discarded in landfills and endanger marine life if they wash into oceans since they take 100–500 years to degrade. Therefore, it is imperative to spread awareness about the negative effects of single-use plastic bags.
World Plastic Bag Free Day, which falls on July 3, aims to promote the adoption of environmentally friendly products like paper bags or cloth bags in place of plastic bags and ban single-use plastic bags.
Measures to Reduce Plastic Consumption In India
The government of India made its first attempt to address the plastic waste problem in 2011 when it issued the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011. The goal of the policy was to discourage the use of plastic bags by establishing a pricing system for them and providing guidelines for local government recycling.
In 2016, the laws were replaced with stricter Plastic Waste Management Rules. The emphasis of the new regulations was on a total prohibition on plastics smaller than 50 microns, phasing out the use of multi-layered packaging, and imposing extended producer responsibility (EPR) for manufacturers, importers, and brand owners to promote environmentally sound management of plastic products until the end of their life.
The Environment Ministry updated the regulations for managing plastic waste in 2018 and proposed phasing out multi-layered plastics (MLP), the glossy plastic used to wrap chips, biscuits, and ready-to-eat food items. MLPs pose a serious hazard to the environment because they are not recyclable, not used to produce energy, and have no further uses as well.
What Can You Do on International Plastic Bag Free Day?
On this Plastic Bag Free Day, you can volunteer to help plan events, connect with others in your community who want to change things or find an event where you can help out to reduce plastic pollution.
Here are a few more things that you can do on an individual level:
- Refuse to use single-use plastic bags. By doing this, you can make a significant impact on reducing plastic waste.
- Wherever you go shopping, bring your own cloth or paper bag. Many grocery stores provide discounts to customers who do so – but you’ll also be doing your part to protect the environment. By following this simple practice of bringing your own cloth or paper bag whenever you go shopping, you actively participate in the mission of the single use plastic ban . This small action can have a significant impact on reducing plastic waste.
- Make your own bag if you are creative, and carry it with flair. By doing this, not only will you be prepared for the ban, but it will also provide you with numerous benefits..
- Donate your time or money to an environmental group that strives to rid the land and water of plastic bags.
- Recycle any plastic item you have in your home and workplace. In order to contribute to the ban on single use plastic ,make sure to recycle any plastic items you have in your home and workplace. Recycling is a crucial step in reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste.
- Spread awareness about the harmful effects of plastic pollution with your family and friends.
- If you are a company, work on making promotional cloth bags & give those to your clients and customers.
Conclusion
If we desire a future free of pollution for the next generation, it is time to “Go Green” and make environmentally friendly choices. If you already carry reusable bags to the supermarket, you’re on the right track. However, if you still use plastic produce bags, it’s time to change on this International Plastic Bag Free Day.
