05 December 2009
MUSCAT -- They sure are cheap, strong, lightweight, functional, as well as hygienic, but then let's not forget that they are slowly poisoning the atmosphere around us.
One of the modern conveniences that we seem to be unable to do without, plastics are responsible for causing pollution, killing wildlife and using up precious resources of the earth.
We all know it, yet when it comes to making a choice between a 50bz jute bag and the plastic bag available at the store, we happily stuff our groceries inside these very bags, which, of course, come for free, never mind if they are harmful to the environment.
"We know how harmful plastic bags are to the environment, but if we spend 50bz on one jute bag, we'll need more than 10 such bags to accommodate the entire week's grocery, so the cost factor is indeed a problem," says Naseema Ali, a housewife.
Like Naseema, there are many who feel the same.
Is a fine, fine?
So, if money is a deterrent, will a penalty -- say, a fine of some amount -- wean the public away from plastic?
Would people rather spend a few baizas more and buy a jute bag than cough up a fine for carrying plastic bags home?
Legislation
However, Her Highness Sayyida Tania bint Shabib Al Said, president of Environment Society of Oman, suggests that the only solution would be a legislation or decree from the ministry that either makes consumers pay for the plastic bags, taxes the retailers who use the bags or makes a plan to phase out plastic bags over a period of time as in the UAE.
However, Josefa Gomez raises a pertinent point.
"We wouldn't be using plastic bags if the stores did not keep them. I think it should be mandatory for stores to stock paper bags or some alternative to plastic.
"Now, if these stores don't keep any plastic bags at all, we'd have no option but to look for alternatives. But, if they do stock plastic bags, then why shouldn't we use them?"
But Sayyida Al Said observes that making paper bags mandatory for shopping centres is not a feasible option.
"There has been a debate about plastic vs paper bags -- while paper bags biodegrade faster than plastic, they are made from trees and take more energy to produce, so a reusable bag made from jute/fabric is the best option.
"I believe the regulation will not come from individual shopping centres; it can only be effective if it comes in the form of a decree."
Act responsibly
Ananth A.V., regional director of Lulu Hypermarkets in Oman, agrees that hypermarkets need to be committed to making the environment plastic-free.
However, he says, before banning plastic bags completely, they need to come up with an alternative solution to customers.
"Hypermarkets should come out with alternative solutions to consumers, be it by introducing degradable, jute or reusable bags.
"At Lulu, we believe in reduce and reuse. You cannot eradicate plastic bags at one go people need to be sensitised about the harmful effects of plastic bags on the environment.
"People have this tendency of taking the maximum number of bags from stores, which they then use for throwing garbage. This needs to stop.
"When you take plastic bags from the shop, try and take only what is necessary and then think of reusing them, if at all, you need to so. Instead of just dumping it, try and use the same bag again and again, so that the least number of bags are in circulation."
Campaigns to sensitise the public are already underway in Oman.
Public campaigns
The 'No to plastic bags for Oman' campaign, spearheaded by Environment Society of Oman, was aimed at reducing the amount and ultimately push for the regulation of plastic bags in Oman.
Asked about the next step, the ESO president said: "Since the campaign, an extensive report has been compiled and will be sent to the relevant government bodies as planned. If funds permit, we will initiate Phase II, which will be a follow-on from the campaign launched last year."
Realising their responsibility in protecting the environment, even hypermarkets are doing their bit. V. Nandakumar, head of corporate communications for Lulu Hypermarkets Group, says: "We will be rolling out an in-store communication plan to tell people of the benefits of reducing and reusing. Also, we have introduced oxo-bio-degradable bags, which look like plastic, but are much more eco-friendly and also carry a message. We are also in discussion with a Swiss company to produce bags made of vegetable fibre as an alternative to plastic bags. The knowledge has not yet sunk in among people. There should be a concrete effort to sensitise people about the ill-effects of plastic use. And if it's about protecting the environment, then paper bags too are not feasible, as they promote deforestation."
People power
In Muscat, civilian efforts to highlight the adverse effects of plastic bags have also been noteworthy.
A campaign carried out by the Art of Living Foundation, along with Standard Chartered Bank, propagated the use of cloth and jute bags as opposed to plastic bags.
"Over the last few years, the use of plastic bags has increased manifold in Oman. Most of the bags are made of non-biodegradable materials and take hundreds of years to decompose.
By burning or destroying these bags, toxic elements are released, which pollute the environment.
Standard Chartered Bank sponsored the bags which were distributed by the Art of Living Foundation free of cost to people, and to students of various schools and colleges.
Presentations
Presentations were then made to make people aware of the harmful effects of plastic. Students were educated to use reusable cloth and jute bags," informs Dr Alka Ahuja, a volunteer of the Art of Living Foundation.
The first steps towards a plastic-free Oman have already been initiated.
Wondering how you can help? Well, the next time you visit a hypermarket and read a sign that says "Say No to Plastic" don't just turn away and start stuffing your grocery into those plastic bags: take only what is required, or better still, carry recyclable bags from home. That would be your contribution to a cleaner and greener Oman! © Times of Oman 2009
MUSCAT -- They sure are cheap, strong, lightweight, functional, as well as hygienic, but then let's not forget that they are slowly poisoning the atmosphere around us.
One of the modern conveniences that we seem to be unable to do without, plastics are responsible for causing pollution, killing wildlife and using up precious resources of the earth.
We all know it, yet when it comes to making a choice between a 50bz jute bag and the plastic bag available at the store, we happily stuff our groceries inside these very bags, which, of course, come for free, never mind if they are harmful to the environment.
"We know how harmful plastic bags are to the environment, but if we spend 50bz on one jute bag, we'll need more than 10 such bags to accommodate the entire week's grocery, so the cost factor is indeed a problem," says Naseema Ali, a housewife.
Like Naseema, there are many who feel the same.
Is a fine, fine?
So, if money is a deterrent, will a penalty -- say, a fine of some amount -- wean the public away from plastic?
Would people rather spend a few baizas more and buy a jute bag than cough up a fine for carrying plastic bags home?
Legislation
However, Her Highness Sayyida Tania bint Shabib Al Said, president of Environment Society of Oman, suggests that the only solution would be a legislation or decree from the ministry that either makes consumers pay for the plastic bags, taxes the retailers who use the bags or makes a plan to phase out plastic bags over a period of time as in the UAE.
However, Josefa Gomez raises a pertinent point.
"We wouldn't be using plastic bags if the stores did not keep them. I think it should be mandatory for stores to stock paper bags or some alternative to plastic.
"Now, if these stores don't keep any plastic bags at all, we'd have no option but to look for alternatives. But, if they do stock plastic bags, then why shouldn't we use them?"
But Sayyida Al Said observes that making paper bags mandatory for shopping centres is not a feasible option.
"There has been a debate about plastic vs paper bags -- while paper bags biodegrade faster than plastic, they are made from trees and take more energy to produce, so a reusable bag made from jute/fabric is the best option.
"I believe the regulation will not come from individual shopping centres; it can only be effective if it comes in the form of a decree."
Act responsibly
Ananth A.V., regional director of Lulu Hypermarkets in Oman, agrees that hypermarkets need to be committed to making the environment plastic-free.
However, he says, before banning plastic bags completely, they need to come up with an alternative solution to customers.
"Hypermarkets should come out with alternative solutions to consumers, be it by introducing degradable, jute or reusable bags.
"At Lulu, we believe in reduce and reuse. You cannot eradicate plastic bags at one go people need to be sensitised about the harmful effects of plastic bags on the environment.
"People have this tendency of taking the maximum number of bags from stores, which they then use for throwing garbage. This needs to stop.
"When you take plastic bags from the shop, try and take only what is necessary and then think of reusing them, if at all, you need to so. Instead of just dumping it, try and use the same bag again and again, so that the least number of bags are in circulation."
Campaigns to sensitise the public are already underway in Oman.
Public campaigns
The 'No to plastic bags for Oman' campaign, spearheaded by Environment Society of Oman, was aimed at reducing the amount and ultimately push for the regulation of plastic bags in Oman.
Asked about the next step, the ESO president said: "Since the campaign, an extensive report has been compiled and will be sent to the relevant government bodies as planned. If funds permit, we will initiate Phase II, which will be a follow-on from the campaign launched last year."
Realising their responsibility in protecting the environment, even hypermarkets are doing their bit. V. Nandakumar, head of corporate communications for Lulu Hypermarkets Group, says: "We will be rolling out an in-store communication plan to tell people of the benefits of reducing and reusing. Also, we have introduced oxo-bio-degradable bags, which look like plastic, but are much more eco-friendly and also carry a message. We are also in discussion with a Swiss company to produce bags made of vegetable fibre as an alternative to plastic bags. The knowledge has not yet sunk in among people. There should be a concrete effort to sensitise people about the ill-effects of plastic use. And if it's about protecting the environment, then paper bags too are not feasible, as they promote deforestation."
People power
In Muscat, civilian efforts to highlight the adverse effects of plastic bags have also been noteworthy.
A campaign carried out by the Art of Living Foundation, along with Standard Chartered Bank, propagated the use of cloth and jute bags as opposed to plastic bags.
"Over the last few years, the use of plastic bags has increased manifold in Oman. Most of the bags are made of non-biodegradable materials and take hundreds of years to decompose.
By burning or destroying these bags, toxic elements are released, which pollute the environment.
Standard Chartered Bank sponsored the bags which were distributed by the Art of Living Foundation free of cost to people, and to students of various schools and colleges.
Presentations
Presentations were then made to make people aware of the harmful effects of plastic. Students were educated to use reusable cloth and jute bags," informs Dr Alka Ahuja, a volunteer of the Art of Living Foundation.
The first steps towards a plastic-free Oman have already been initiated.
Wondering how you can help? Well, the next time you visit a hypermarket and read a sign that says "Say No to Plastic" don't just turn away and start stuffing your grocery into those plastic bags: take only what is required, or better still, carry recyclable bags from home. That would be your contribution to a cleaner and greener Oman! © Times of Oman 2009
