Volume 5, Issue 3 (March, 2016) Online ISSN-2320-0073

Published by: Abhinav Publication

Abhinav International Monthly Refereed Journal of Research in
Management & Technology
USAGE OF PLASTIC CARRY BAGS AND IMPACT ON
ENVIRONMENT, IN MUMBAI
Dr. Tanusree Chaudhuri
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Vivek College of
Commerce, Mumbai, India
Email: tanusreec@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Plastic bags have been introduced in 1970’s decade and it gained a huge popularity amongst
consumers and retailers. Usage of plastic carry bags causes a serious environmental problem. In 1950
Mumbai ranked as a 17th, populous country in the world, where as currently Mumbai is the 7th most
populous mega city in the world. With the increasing population number of shopping malls, markets,
retailers, vegetable vendors are also increasing. Thus to carry goods usage of plastic carry bags have
drastically increased. Survey conducted to know the using and re-using pattern of plastic bags among
the consumers and how much they are aware about the impact of plastic bag usage on environment.
The findings of the survey indicate that irrespective of sex, age, educational qualification and
profession majority of the respondents use plastic bags in their daily life activities and all are aware
about the usage of plastic bag and its negative impact on environment. To control the environmental
damages by the using and disposal of plastic bag Government can take stricter action as well as can
conduct awareness programme.
Keywords: Plastic Bags; Consumer; Disposal; Environment; Damage

INTRODUCTION
In Mumbai the quantum of solid waste is ever increasing due to increase in population, developmental
activities, changes in life style, and socio-economic conditions. Plastics waste is a significant portion
of the total municipal solid waste (MSW). Inspite of their short history plastic gained a wide popularity
in our day to day life because of its light weight, carrying strength, easily controllable, cheaper price
and outstanding durability. In India, the share of plastic waste in total solid is raised from 0.6% in 1996
to 9.2% in 2005 (World Bank, 2008). Over 50% of this waste comprises used plastic bags and
packaging (TERI, 2002). It is estimated that in Mumbai approximately 8,000 metric tons of garbage
generates per day.
Four per cent of this garbage comprises plastic. But despite having special intensified checks in the
city, the plastic pollution has been soaring year after year.
Plastic is non biodegradable in nature, it remains in environment for several years. Plastic bags are
made from non-renewable resources, where the key ingredients are petroleum and natural gas.
Polyethylene - High Density, Low Density, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) are the raw
materials widely used for the manufacture of plastic bags. The shopping bags used by supermarkets
are mainly produced out of LLDPE (Linear low-density polyethylene) to get the desired thickness and
glossy look. For the thin bags LDPE (low-density polyethylene) mainly used. Disposing plastic bags
has an impact on soil and ground water due to its toxic chemical substances. Plastic waste became a
major problem for the civic authorities in Mumbai due to the littering habits and inadequate waste
management system. It has been observed in the city that large amount of plastic wastes are fails to

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Management & Technology
reach the recycling process because many of the time plastic carry bags uses as a house hold garbage
disposal.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main objectives of the study
1. To identify what are the ways consumers are using and reusing the plastic carry bags.
2. To find out awareness of usage of plastic carry bags and environmental impact, among the
consumers.
METHODOLOGY
The study is based on primary as well as secondary data. The secondary data has been collected from
the published report and Govt. Website. Primary data has been collected through field survey in
Western Suburb in Mumbai. The usage of plastic carries bags basically driven from consumer’s point
of view as well as seller’s point of view. So it was important to get the perceptions of both the users.
Hence, the survey was separately identifies from each group of consumers. The household respondent
selected randomly in Goregaon and Jogeswari. Among the visited household one member of the
family questioned about the usage of plastic carry bags. Similarly the respondent selected randomly in
the vegetable markets of Goregaon and Malad in the Western Suburb of Mumbai.
DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULT DISCUSSION
Data were collected from 50 respondents that consisted of 48% males and 52% females. All 50
respondents are aware that plastic carry bags are not good for environment as well as health. The
following Table-1 shows the demographic profile of the respondents.
Table 1. Demographic profile of Respondents
Age (Years)
<20 9 18%
20-35 28 56%
35-50 12 24%
<50 1 2%
Educational Qualification
Upto 6th 2 4%
6th -12th 26 52%
UG & PG 21 42%
Above PG 0 0%
Profession
Student 18 36%
Service 11 22%
Business 6 12%
Others 18 36%
Source: Primary Survey
56% of the total respondents fall in the age group of 20-35 yrs and 52% of the total respondent’s
educational qualification varies from 6th to 12th standard. However the survey results indicate that
regardless sex, age, educational qualification and profession majority of the respondents use plastic
bags in their daily life activities. Respondents explained that because of the light weight, easy to carry,
as free of cost they get it from vegetable vendors, thus they prefer to use plastic carry bags. 22% of
total respondents said they don’t use plastic carry bags (Table-2) but out of that 73% people while
giving answer of usage frequency of the plastic carry bags, they said that once in a week they use. 78%

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of the total respondents’ are high users of plastic carry bags. Out of that 36% people use daily where as
64% people use three times in a week.
Table 2. Usage Frequency of Plastic Carry Bags
Numbers Percentage
High 39 78%
Daily 14 36%
3 Times a Week 25 64%
Low 11 22%
Once in a Week 8 73%
Never 3 27%
Source: Primary Survey
It is obvious that at the end of the usage, plastic bags become waste. Therefore when asked the
respondent those who use plastic bags, about the disposal habit of the bags, 21% said they reuse the
bag but they also informed that, at the end, same plastic bag use for household garbage disposal. 41%
(Table 3) people they don’t even reuse, they just throw away those bags. This scenario is very common
in many street corners in Mumbai. Only 38% people said they store the plastic carry bags. These
people prefer to sale the stored bags to the hawkers, and as an exchange of that they get garlic from the
hawkers. Thus the process can reduce some amount of solid waste and these plastic mainly recycled.
These respondents are mainly stays to the slum area.
Table 3. Disposal of Plastic Bags
Numbers Percentage (%)
Store 15 38%
Throw Away 16 41%
Reuse 8 21%
Source: Primary Survey
The following Table-4 shows the habit of the respondent to carry their own bag to the vegetable
vendor. 44% people they carry their own bag during the time of purchasing vegetable, while 56%
people do not carry their bag for shopping. When we ask those people if the shop keeper charges for
the plastic bag are the ready to pay for that? 64% people replied they don’t want to pay for the plastic
bag they want it as a free of cost where as only 36% people are read to pay for plastic bag. The Table-5
shows how much they are ready to pay for plastic bag.
Table 4. Percentage of People Carry Own Plastic Bag
Number Percentage (%)
Carry Own bag 22 44%
Don’t Carry own bag 28 56%
Source: Primary Survey
Table 5. Respondents willingness to Pay for Per Plastic Bag
50 Paisa Rs.1/- Rs.2/- Rs.3/- >Rs.3/-
Number 8 6 4 0 0
Percentage 44% 34% 22% 0% 0%
Source: Primary Survey
Table 5, shows no one is ready to pay Rs. 3/- or above for a plastic bag. The survey helps to
understand that if vendor or retailer compulsorily charges for plastic bag then people will have to pay

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for that or else they can choose option to carry their own bag which will be helpful for the environment
as well as the city.
Government Rules about Usage of Plastic Bags
As per Rule 10, of the Govt. of India, Ministry of Environment and Forest's plastic waste
(Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, no carry bags shall be made available free of cost by
retailers to the consumers. The concerned Municipal Authority is empowered to determine the
minimum price for carry bags depending upon their quality and size which covers their material and
waste management cost in order to encourage their re-use so as to minimize plastic waste generation.
BMC (Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation) has issued the following directions to Retailers and
Consumers.
1. Minimum thickness of carry bags shall not be less than 50 microns.
2. Retailers shall not give plastic carry bags free of cost to the Consumers.
3. Consumers have liberty and are advised to bring his own carry bag.
4. Retailer shall display the notice that the consumer is at liberty to bring his own carry bag and
that if they not brought it and asks retailer to supply it they will have to pay for it.
According to BMC (Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation) the following Table 6 shows the price of
the carry bags and its sizes.
Table 6. Plastic Carry Bag and its Cost
1 About 8 inches x 12 inches Rs.2/-
2 About 16 inches x 20 inches Rs.4/-
3 About 20 inches x 25 inches Rs.5/-
4 More than 20 inches x 25 inches Rs.6/
Source: Mid-Day, Jan-2012.
Ban of Plastic Carry Bags By BMC (Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation)
BMC (Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation) has been trying to ban plastic carry bags in Mumbai
from last 12 years. But still it is very much available in Mumbai. Manufacture, sale and use of plastic
carry bags made of sheets less than 20 microns thick was supposed to be banned in Mumbai from 15 th
August, 2000 and civic authorities appear intent on ensuring that plastic is replaced by more recyclable
paper. In that period Chief Minister, late Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, was recommended that a mere ban
is not enough and a strict follow-up is required to ensure compliance: fining the retailer as well as the
consumer, the former could be slapped penalties of up to Rs. 2,000 and the latter, Rs. 500 per default.
(The Hindu, 2000 15th August). But the plastic carry bag was continued. Once again in 2006 the ban
on plastic bags became a reality in Mumbai, but it was on paper only. The state Cabinet cleared the
Maharashtra State Non-Biodegradable Garbage Control Ordinance that imposes severe restrictions on
the use of plastic bags. The Ordinance bans all plastic bags with a thickness of less than 50 microns
and smaller than 20X30 cm. The production, transportation, storing, use and even handling of such
bags could invite imprisonment along with a hefty fine.( The Economic Times, 8th Feb, 2006).
Through the primary survey it is find out still vendors uses plastics carry bags which is below 50
micron. BMC has taken initiative to make the city plastic free for the sustainability.
Steps Taken By BMC (Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation) To Restrict Usage of
Plastic Carry Bags
Mumbai has learnt the lessons from July 26 inundation, when plastic bags had blocked drains and led
to flooding in the metropolis, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has many offenders to

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control environmental damage. The following Table 7 show how many plastic bags seized and BMC
has earned through fine from the offenders during the period from 2008 to 2011.
Table 7. Plastic Seized and Earnings of BMC (Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation) as a Fine From
Offenders, Used Plastic Bag.
Period Offenders Caught Plastic Seized (In Kg) Fine Amount ( In Lakh)
April-Dec 2008 2,580 15506.98 47.72
Jan-Dec, 2009 5,104 5883.24 57.88
Jan-Dec, 2010 5,194 2697.06 29.26
Jan-Dec, 2011 7,464 3269.8 48.33
Source: Mid Day, 29th Jan, 2012.
Primary data shows still without hesitant vegetable and non-veg seller, many retail shop as well as
consumer every day we are using plastic carry bags in lakhs.
Impact of Using Plastic Carry Bag on Environment
Plastic bags are typically used for a short period of time but take hundreds of years to break down in
landfill. Once they are used, most bags go into landfill, or rubbish. Each year, more and more bags are
ending up littering the environment. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our
waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. If we burn those plastics, they infuse the air with toxic fumes.
During our survey it is reported by the responded that many of the time cows eat plastic bags
(especially those wastes containing food leftovers), which results in complications of digestive system
and health of animals. Another problem overviewed that plastic bags blockage the drainage system.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
The results of the survey indicate that most of the respondents regardless their demographic profile,
they know the adverse impact of plastic on environment. While talking to them it is understood that
many of them in favour of banning plastic carry bags. Respondent they want plastic free Mumbai and
that’s why many respondents carry their own bag during the time of shopping. Now the question is
who is to be blamed for using plastic carry bags in Mumbai –consumers or business category people?
Some of the respondents are ready to pay for the plastic bag to the retailers or vendors. Therefore
retailers and vendors if they charge to the consumers for the plastic bag some of the consumers may
carry their own bag. After compulsorily charging for plastic bags in all hyper, super markets and
shopping malls in Mumbai, many consumers started carrying their own bag. Currently 22 millions of
people are living in Mumbai. Hence, passing legislation and taking fine from the offenders is not the
only solution to curb the use and disposal of plastic carry bags. Therefore the Government in
collaboration with NGO’s, educational institution and the city youth should encourage people to use
environmental friendly alternative material such as paper bag, cloth bag etc to protect the city from
environmental damages.
REFERENCES
1. Girum B (2005)’ Sustainable management of plastic bag waste. The case of Nairobi, Kenya’.
Lund, Sweden, pp. 3-52.
2. Legesse, A. & Muleta, D. “Survey on the usage of plastic bags, their disposal and adverse impacts
on environment: A case study in Jimma City, Southwestern Ethiopia”, Journal of Toxicology and
Environmental Health Sciences Vol. 3(8) August 2011,pp. 234-248,
3. Patro, L. (2012), Waste Management for Sustainable Environment, Mangalam Publishers and
Distributors, Delhi.
4. Shitole, G. and Sable R, (2012), Environmental Degradation Issues and Challenges, Global
Research Publication, New Delhi.

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5. Subramanian, Yi L, Hu, J. , ‘Eco-Impact of Plastic and Paper Shopping Bags,’ Journal of
Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, Volume 7, Issue 1 – 2012: 26-37
6. Vasisth, K., (2011), Waste Management, Essential Books, New Delhi.
7. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/environmental-pollution-the-harmful-effects-of-plastic-bags.html
8. http://www.hindu.com/2000/08/16/stories/0216000m.htm
9. http://www.mid-day.com/news/2012/jan/290112-The-plastic-problem.htm
10. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2006-02-08/news/27449102_1_plastic-bags-blanket-
ban-20x30
11. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-06-30/news/27618562_1_plastic-bags-
minimum-thickness-garbage-control-act

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