Let’s give back to our Mother Earth what it actually deserves.

Written by Kumari Swati and Ankit Tiwari.

Hind chakra conducted the survey on awareness of usage and disposal of plastics among Indian Masses .when we asked the questions in the survey as what measures the government can take and what steps people can take in order to tab on the use of plastics. The answers that came were really interesting . According to one of the responses, stating that how we can see our forefathers dealing with problem of plastics we can learn something new and interesting . One of the responses said “There are many alternatives for plastic that our forefathers and ancestors had given us before the invention of plastic. Like In early days people use vesicles made from many kind of leafs for eating and drinking purposes. So ,not exactly like that but we could avoid the use of plastic by replacing our plastic bottles and containers with the glass and Steel ones , as we carry our money and card with ourselves we could always carry a jute or cloth bag with us so that we can avoid plastics . Palm leaves should be used for eating purposes at the place of foam and plastic plates . If we start making theses small changes in our lives one day we’ll surely make a big difference. And instead of  thinking  that we’ll do it for environment  we should think that we are doing this for ourselves for our better living. Avoid as much plastics as you can. There is a proverb in English “if you think you can then you’ll definitely do it and if you think I can’t then you’ll never do it. So do this small change for yourselves.
Is it possible in our generation that we are able to witness a single day when no plastics is used by anyone in our country. Some may call it as a fantasy dream , but it may happen that the number of plastics that are used day to day can be reduced.  
The usage of plastics has became an integral part of our Lifestyle. To change it we need a holistic solution which involves participation of people from different sections of our society . Let’s look at the comprehensive strategy that can be adopted to deal with this problem.
  1.At educational Institutions:
The schools , colleges , universities , coaching centres,   Anganwadis , all the educational institutions of our country which imparts education at different levels in collaboration with the Government support need to come up with a strategic compaign where students are taught regarding the harmful effects of plastics. They should not be allowed to use plastic items in schools. It will be possible when  the Educational fraternity , talk with immediate family members regarding the usage of plastics. The weekends should be dedicated to the activities and compaigns that should be held which completely stresses on how plastics usage can be reduced. 
Subjects regarding plastics usage and disposal should be designed in such a way that it involves the practical participation  of students .The regular examination of this subject should be conducted . The marks received by the students in the examination should be given preferance in their higher studies and career .

2.At constituency level.
The MPs and MLAs , representing their constituencies ,should conduct regular mass awareness programs and compaigns on plastic awareness in their areas. They should held quizzes , activities at different places and distribute prizes to motivate people to contribute in the awareness of plastics.
3.At corporate level
Big corporate houses , should take this cause as a part of their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) .They should motivate their employees to come up with communication plans regarding plastic awareness that can be collaborated with their Advertising and Public Relations compaigns for their products and services. This will not only help their product marketing strategy but will also create a social awareness.
4.In media houses 
Every media house , should atleast run a one hour or half an hour programme everyday on their channel related to this issue. The television channels or youtube digital channels or even print media can indulge themselves into ground reporting regarding the work that has been done on plastic awareness . The private and government radio stations should come up with Public Services Announcements, Zingles and other programmes of plastic awareness .

5.Social media.
Social media can make or break anything . Thus the power of social media lies in how this tool is used , every individual in their own capacity can use social media for voicing their opinions and also giving their veiws as what can be done to reduce the use of plastics. All the celebrities from sports , films , business and other successful people can come together and can use their social media profile to create awareness on plastics . They can also engage their fans in carrying out those activities which reduces the use of plastics.
6 .At family level.
In families , the children , parents should talk on plastic awareness. They should minimize the use of plastics at home. They should also convince their immediate family in this regard. Apart from that  the elder members of our family who have knowledge about plastics can convince their children. If a single family understand the importance of not using plastics , they can share their veiws to their relatives and family . This way if a single family stands for something innovative , by learning from them , the other members of the community will also come forward and then the more hands will be joined together to bring a change in the society.
7.The manufacturer community, the people who use plastics as a packaging material need to be made aware regarding the alternative of plastics by the government and then collaboratively work on this regard.

8. Different Ngos, that work for Environmental welfare should collaborate with schools and colleges with a creative campaigns in this regard

9.Ecobricks makes the plastic waste useful. An Ecobrick is plastic bottle packed with used plastic to a set density. They serve as reusable building blocks. Ecobricks can be used to produce various items, including furniture, garden walls and other structures. It is very easy to make Ecobricks at our homes. People should be made aware regarding these ecofriendly alternatives.

10. Bioplastics:
    Bioplastics are plastic materials produced from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, straw, woodchips, sawdust, recycled food waste, etc. Bioplastics  can be made from agricultural by-products and also from used plastic bottles and other containers using microorganisms.The use of bioplastics will help in reducing the usage of plastics.
    As citizens of our country , and as humans it should be our priority as well as our responsibility to save our Mother Nature. We are the generation which have innovation and creation in our genes. We cannot let our greed win over our need. Thus let’s get back to our roots. Let’s not forget what our Mother Nature has gave us . We need to be kind towards it. Let’s give back to our Mother Earth what it actually deserves. We are human minds with great capabilities. We can use our minds ,body and soul for something meaningful.The solutions are many , we just need to come forward and perform that in action. The motive of this survey was to aware people regarding the harmful effects of plastics and to propose the solutions to overcome it. We have tried our bits to do something in this regard. Our journey has not completed yet, its a last article which will conclude our survey. But it’s a kind request to all the people who have participated in our survey and , the readers of our article to continue this journey beyond , by taking appropriate action , create awareness, share the information regarding the harmful effects of plastics.