Ban on single-use plastics- Decision must not be delayed

The multiple materials, being used in day-to-day life, are leading to chronic diseases and also affect the environment as well. However, the government has taken a positive step in this regard by initiating a process to impose a blanket ban on single-use plastics in Jammu and Kashmir like the other parts of the country. The decision, if implemented, is set to bring a respite to the people, although would create a chaos within the society as the people here are widely depending on the single-use plastic. According to the reports, the plastic bottles, bags and food containers contain chemical additives such as endocrine disruptors, which are associated with negative health effects including cancers, birth defects and immune system suppression in humans and wildlife. In such a situation, it becomes imperative to take a final call over banning the single-use plastics so that the people here could heave a sigh of relief. The ban on single-use plastics would also help in reducing the plastic waste production and thus simultaneously can help in preventing further deterioration of the environment. It is very challenging to recycle single-use plastic; hence, it has spread in the earth’s ecosystem and affected the human food chain. Exposure to microplastics impacts the human food chain and may damage human health in various ways. The people at the helm of affairs need to understand the importance of banning single-use plastics and must not delay the initiative any further. The decision in this regard must be taken at an earliest and should be implemented in letter and spirit.