Thin plastic is killing ecology

Delhi is making an effort to ban plastic bags. Closer home, Karnataka made the same effort way back in 2002. Then the government had announced a ban on plastic bags thinner than 20 microns. A micron is one millionth of a metre.

The ban, however, has not achieved its objective. In any garbage bin, storm water drain or your neighbourhood store, thin, low-quality plastic bags are found in abundance, flouting the Environment Protection Act. One has the option of not using plastic bags, but many are fine with having a free bag while shopping.

Plastic waste management firms get bags that are thinner than 20 microns and in some case, 10 microns for recycling. Few people are aware that plastic bags and containers are banned from use in wedding halls and choultries in Bangalore. Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) had issued the order in 2002, but the rules have remained on paper. Such bags are also banned in Cubbon Park, Lalbagh and Bannerghatta. As per the order, thin plastic bags can't be used to print election material such as posters and flyers.

"The regulation is not being followed. I doubt people are aware of the regulation at all. There is no monitoring, and most of the plastic items we get for recycling are thin and of low quality, less than 10 microns," says Ahmed Khan, managing director of KK Waste Management.

Thick plastic covers are better because it's easier to collect them. "Plastic takes decades to degrade and releases carcinogens like furons and dioxins," he explained.

The KSPCB controls plastic production in Karnataka. As per the Environment Protection Act, manufacturers must be registered with KSPCB.

The Board has passed orders to close five manufacturing units in the last two years. The offenders are liable to be imprisoned up to five years and fined. All aspects of dealing with plastic bags in the city are under the jurisdiction of the district commissioner of Bangalore Urban and Rural.

KSPCB chairman H C Sharatchandra is optimistic about an umbrella ban on plastic bags in Karnataka: "It's possible. Himachal Pradesh has done it and now Delhi has imposed it. We must take the step."

IN CIRCULATION

* According to KK Waste Management, Bangalore generates 35 tonnes of plastic waste every day

* KSPCB reports show plastic products, mostly bags, constitute 6.2% of Bangalore's composite waste

* There are 290 registered manufacturing units from the state with KSPCB

* There are 16 plastic bag recyclers and 55 plastic product recyclers in the state

* There is no regular monitoring of rules on plastic usage

What happens when plastic is recycled

Plastic is recycled to make the original product -- plastic bags. The bag can be recycled seven to eight times, after which it can be used for road projects like the one KK Waste Management and BBMP are working on currently. Around 1,000 km have been completed with waste plastic in Bangalore.

The BBMP purchases plastic waste from K K Waste Management at Rs 27 per kg. The company pays rag-pickers Rs 6-12 per kg. This waste is mixed with other substances for roads; 30% of Bangalore's roads are laid with this mixture.

Suren, a young designer, uses plastic and tetrapacks to design accessories like bags, bottle-holders, pouches, wallets, jackets, etc. He recently bagged the PAN IIT award for his `Tetrapack waste' project.