Plastics are a bane in many ways to the modern world. As I type these words I know how wrong my words are. But I cannot take them back. The after-effects of plastic are beyond words. It is really sad how we used plastics for our needs and ended up abusing nature. We are paying the price for it and I am sure we will pay for it in the years to come.

A few years back when stores in India started charging for plastic bags I was skeptical. I was not sure if it was a worthwhile effort. But after my recent trip to India I think it was a real wise move. I hear complaints from family and friends about not having enough plastic bags to line their trash bins. I hear people talking about the scarcity of plastic bags and I think we are turning a corner. I do not see plastic bags flying around in the air like balloons.

Instead of being inundated with sub-standard plastic bags there is definitely a reduction in the number of bags making its way home. People carrying their own bags are at a rise and many brows are raised when they hear they will have to shell out few more bucks for plastic bags.

I am not sure if every store follows it – I know the many of the leading grocery stores in Tamil Nadu do it. It is much better and greener than the paper bag option offered in the US. Maybe it is time for every store to start following the policy? Also small time street-cart flower and fruit vendors should also start charging for bags.

And I also think it is time for the grocery stores to hike the price of plastic bags. 1 Rupee for a small plastic bag does not cut it. This is one time you will find me rooting for a price hike.

Next stop – disposable plastic bottles – a deposit added on purchase refundable when these bottles are dumped in the recycler will definitely reduce the number of bottles making its way into places it should not be. I know some states in the US are paid like 5 cents for every bottle you recycle. But it will probably not work in India. You will need to charge an amount to encourage force people throwing things into recycle bins.

I wonder if we will ever reach that stage