Plastic pollution has been grabbing limelight for more than two decades. Although several countries have taken steps to ebb plastic tide, it is not having much effect. While Scandinavian countries and Germany, along with few more nations are on board, Britain, as always is late comer to climb the gravy train, although Britain has promised to be carbon free by 2050. But in the opinion of experts, a major economy like ours, would find it difficult to meet the target date.
Norway, where 56% of cars are electric, compared to our 1%, it could go carbon free by 2030, as many experts predict. Norway is one of the best, most efficient and well governed nations in the world, with dedicated, knowledgeable politicians who always put their own people first, unlike our unconcerned politicians whose charity begins and ends overseas!
The Daily Mail national, most widely read newspaper, has taken lead, with slogan, “Turn The Tide On Plastic” campaign. Deposit scheme is working well in Germany, South Korea, Singapore and few more nations who took the lead while others are dithering.
If deposit scheme is to work, it has to be run professionally, with at least 20p deposit but preferably 30p that would encourage, stimulate return of these bottles. The scheme should be well thought, well planned, with refunds on return simple, instant and uncomplicated.
This will also encourage children to collect thrown away, discarded plastic bottles, as it would bring a few pounds to add to their pocket money. But this is tiny step in the fight against plastic waste that pollutes our rivers, lakes and seas, enters our food-chain. The world has to work fast before it is too late, oceans polluted beyond repair!
To reuse glass bottles, as was the case in pre and post war world, when all soft drinks were sold in glass bottles, with hefty deposit, is another, more efficient way to recycle, reuse bottles, sometimes as many as 20 times, before they are thrown away, become unusable.
Kumudini Valambia
By email
