It’s World Environment Day and the theme for this year — ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ — could not have been more apt for Goa, where plastics still clog the efforts from the administration and the many NGOs to reduce the use of plastic, in particular the unrecyclable varieties.
The official campaign website for World Environment Day says, ‘Plastic pollution permeates every corner of the planet — even in our bodies in the form of microplastics. World Environment Day 2025 calls for collective action to tackle plastic pollution.’
That plastic permeates every corner, even our bodies, is so true of Goa, for you can find plastic littered right across the State, from the beaches on the west coast to the forests on the eastern boundary and everywhere between these. Can, then, there be a collective action to reduce this waste, if not eliminate it entirely?
Analysing Goa a little more in detail on the plastic issue, reports state that Goa is the highest producer of plastic waste in the country, generating 12 kg of plastic waste per capita, per year.
Now that’s a huge amount, but before you see red and blame the Goans, do remember that as a tourism State, much of the waste is generated by the floating population that holidays here.
Now that’s a huge amount, but before you see red and blame the Goans, do remember that as a tourism State, much of the waste is generated by the floating population that holidays here. Not just much, but, again according to reports, more than double the waste comes from the tourists or the tourism industry in the State.
However, that should not stop Goa from finding ways of reducing the waste. It is the duty of the State to ensure that the ‘reduce, refuse, recycle’ mantra of plastic permeates across the State rather than the material plastic doing so.
In fact, the 2018 World Environment Day, with India being the host nation that year, had a similar theme — 'Beating plastic pollution — If you can’t reuse it, refuse it’.
Another plastic theme so soon, indicates that either the 2018 campaign hasn’t produced the desired results or the UN is taking the plastic pollution issue on a very earnest note. Either way, it underlines the seriousness of the issue.
It is now for us, this World Environment Day, to do ‘something’ to take care of the Earth. As per the United Nations guidelines, that ‘something’ can be focused locally, nationally or globally, it can be a solo action or involve a crowd. There are no restrictions, just as long as ‘something’ is done to save the environment.
As per the United Nations guidelines, that ‘something’ can be focused locally, nationally or globally, it can be a solo action or involve a crowd.
The reason plastic is an environmental hazard is because it is a non-biodegradable material, one that can remain in the environment for decades.
According to data available, a plastic bag can remain in the environment for up to 80 years, causing tremendous damage to the surroundings. Thicker plastics have an even longer life, though they may be reusable or recyclable.
On paper, Goa has a wide range of programs to reduce the use of plastic, having, over the years, introduced various such and also rules to make these mandatory, even prescribing fines for breaking the rules.
Not much of this has been effective, primarily because the implementation lacks consistency. There will be week-long drives, and then, the administration will turn a blind eye to the plastic pollution.
Not much of this has been effective, primarily because the implementation lacks consistency. There will be week-long drives, and then, the administration will turn a blind eye to the plastic pollution.
In the past, there have even been announcements of a complete ban on plastic in the State and deadlines set, but again, the implementation has been weak, perhaps deliberately so.
There had even been a time when the government was considering a ban on polyvinyl chloride-based plastic bags, the type used to package milk. Nothing came out of it.
Plastic is convenient, so consumers are happy to have it. Banning it will affect the business interests of those producing the material and also the finished products. When it comes to political decisions, it’s always the producers and the consumers who matter, and the environment is winked at.
Yet, not everybody is a polluter. There are many, youth among them, who refuse to accept plastic at shops and carry their own bags when shopping. Kudos to them and may they lead by example and their numbers grow.
Plastic is convenient, so consumers are happy to have it. Banning it will affect the business interests of those producing the material and also the finished products.
On the other hand, there are others who don’t refuse plastic. Enter any one of the many consumer goods fairs and exhibitions, and you will find that every stall is handing over plastic bags to their customers. You will see that even if a customer can place various items in one bag, they will still accept another one.
While we can always point the finger at the government on plastic pollution, a change in attitude among the people will go a long way in reducing the plastic in the environment.
Refuse a non-recyclable plastic bag this World Environment Day and everyday that follows it, and you will have done your bit for the environment.
