With border gates closed amid the pandemic, access to single-use plastics, often referred to as disposable plastics has become difficult for the shopkeepers at Sheychamthang in Sarpang. Taking this as an opportunity, the Sarpang Thromde representatives, during the recent consultative meeting decided to reduce the use of plastics in the new town by encouraging customers to carry their own bags.
Before entering the shop, the customers are greeted with signage on the plastic ban rule. Welcoming the initiative, shopkeepers said, this will decrease the pressure to provide customers with plastic bags each time they shop.
“When customers visit our shop, we inform them that we will stop providing them with plastic bags. The ones we have are all old stocks. And once we are out of it, they will be required to bring their own carry bags,” said Rinchen, a shopkeeper at Sheychamthang.
“We tell them we don’t have plastic bags. But when told so, they ask for carry bags which are not affordable. If they buy more items then we make use of carton boxes to pack the items,” said Milan Karki, another shopkeeper.
“They bring their own bags now. We informed them that we will not provide them with plastic bags and they agreed to bring them next time,” added Panchu Rai.
Turning plastic inaccessibility to good advantage, the district environment office is trying to inculcate the practice of using eco-friendly carry bags.
“Thromde representatives were saying that they were complaining of not getting a single-use plastic. The discussion came up if we can have a notification or signage saying that we don’t have single-use plastic in shops. They can bring their own carry bags. This is going to minimize the single-use plastic,” said Chhimi Dorji, the Environment Officer of Sarpang district.
The use of plastic was first banned in the country in 1999. The ban was re-enforced nationwide again in 2019. While the plastic ban is yet to find a foothold in the country, it remains to be seen if Sheychamthang’s new yet old initiative of reducing plastic use go a long way.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
