India makes 'unprecedented' pledge to ban all single-use plastic by 2022

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Independent


'The choices that we make today will define our collective future'

Adam Withnall Delhi
@adamwithnall
10 hours ago

The Indian government has pledged to ban all single-use plastics by 2022, in a move which has been welcomed by both the United Nations and grassroots groups.

The UN environment agency described the policy as “unprecedented”. It was announced during a World Environment Day summit hosted by the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi.

India was providing “global leadership” where the rest of the world was falling short, said UN Environment chief Erik Solheim. A new report from the agency highlighted more than 50 nations taking some action to tackle plastics, but added that much more needed to be done.

In some countries – India among them – rules exist but are not always enforced. In others, pledges have been criticised for not going far enough. Theresa May declared earlier this year that the UK would eliminate avoidable plastic waste – where it is “economically practical” to do so – by 2042.

Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/india-plastic-ban-2022-single-use-narendra-modi-world-environment-day-a8385966.html

[PatrickforO]

1. India has provided global leadership before. Remember Gandhi.

Mahatma - the great soul.

[Sophia4]

2. Why can't we do that?

The packaging on some of the things I buy is just ridiculous.

[relogic]

3. Western diets will poison and bury us all.

Populations could reduce significantly the mega tons of this plastic deluge by not consuming McD’s, BK’s, KFC...wrapped, cupped and slammed for them on a daily basis. Few seem willing to create meals from scratch or shun the convenience of plastic generating packaging that is inevitable.

[IronLionZion]

4. They've been on that track for many years

lots of cities banned plastic bags and food containers.

Many tea/coffee shops will offer drinks in clay pots or steel tumblers. Same with yogurt and many other foods that we might purchase in plastic tubs. Cold drinks have always been primarily in glass bottles that you have to return after drinking at the shop or pay a deposit to take it home.

Depending on the materials, one person's trash is another person's stuff to sell for a living.

Plastic is so out of control that they have been experimenting with creative ways to recycle or reuse it. One genius solution is to mix it with pavement to make roads much stronger. They started out by mixing it in with the pavement to patch potholes, but they've also paved whole roads out of it and lasts much longer than regular pavement.

[Kittycow]

6. Animal Aid Unlimited , a street animal rescue & sanctuary,

takes in a lot of sick and dying holy cows because they ate a lot of plastic and it becomes a big toxic bomb inside of their stomach. That's the first I heard of this problem (watching YouTube rescue videos).

Have you been to India? You know a lot about it.

[IronLionZion]

8. I have visited there several times, including January this year

It's quite a place. They've had to tackle renewable energy and recycling because it's a large and crowded country that faces consequences on a massive scale.

[Kittycow]

10. I was really pleased to read your first post

about the ways India is already cutting down on using plastic.

After I read that, I went back to exploring more Animal Aid videos (they're in Udaipur) and found one where they were able to save a sick bull by removing 45 lbs of plastic garbage from his stomach. They also showed a (relatively non-graphic) autopsy of another bull they couldn't save where they removed just as much if not more plastic.

I always vaguely knew that too much plastic is taking a toll on Mother Earth but now I'm emotionally invested and trying to figure out how I can help to cut down on plastic in my own life.

Back to Animal Aid, their videos give a little snapshot of typical streets, neighborhoods, and people in Udaipur as they carry out their rescues.

Sorry to blather on I guess I'm becoming a bit of an armchair traveler!

[IronLionZion]

11. As consumers we all choose what to purchase

so many vendors have cut back on certain materials because consumers wanted greener options. Dining in the restaurant instead of takeout helps. Reusable plastic bags. Refillable travel mugs for coffee. Several coffee shops here in the US will offer discounts if you bring your own mug.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Keurig

“economically practical” to do so – by 2042

it's not a weak policy, it's a delusional non-existent one

[ffr]

7. That day cannot come soon enough for our oceans

A positive step though.

[truthisfreedom]

9. I just got my first set of wooden flatware for camping. I'm very pleased.

https://www.amazon.com/Silverware-Utensils-Biodegradable-Eco-Friendly-Disposable/dp/B0733D5CCB