ISLAMABAD — Polythene (plastic) bags are an environmental hazard and their production and use need to be disallowed in the country.
Used plastic bags are found in abundance in the streets and are responsible for clogging drains and sewerage lines.
In the rural areas, these bags decrease the productivity of the arable land because they do not rot or turn into compost.
The most dangerous are the black bags, made of recycled plastic which increases their toxic content.
Dr. Arif Anis, a general physician said that air could not pass through plastic bags so the edible items inside them get rotten. They become harmful for the people and when one eats that, he suffers from different kinds of stomach disorders.
Paper, cloth or jute bags must be made readily available which are environment friendly, instead of plastic bags.
In this regard concern authority must play a useful role in creating public awareness and building up strong consumer resistance to polythene bags Chaudhry Wasif, a teacher said a campaign needs to be started to create awareness on environmental issues, especially about the harmful effects of the use of plastic bags and making streets of the country free from them.
Responsible organisations and individuals should be approached to sponsor the manufacturing of paper and cloth bags. Shopkeepers should also discourage the use of plastic bags among the buyers, he added.
source: http://jang.com.pk/thenews/mar2005-daily/06-03-2005/metro/i19.htm 18mar2005
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