Respected CM

A few days back while shopping at Kapurthala Market I noticed all the people are using plastic bags. I
was disappointed to see that the plastic ban was not being implemented, not even slowly. It will be
easy to eliminate all forms of plastic carry bags if we implement plastic ban properly. These plastic
bags are thrown carelessly by people after one use. As a result plastic waste has wreaked
catastrophic havoc in our city. Huge heaps of un-cleaned waste with stinking substances in them are
not only a pathetic sight, but also posed a great threat to the health of those dwelling near these
heaps and passersby. I am sure visitors must be thinking very about us.

I am Divanshu Bhola residing in Kapurthala. I am 17-year-old student currently I am president of

LUCKSTONE WELFARE FOUNDATION. Our foundation has been reducing plastic waste generated in
city for the last 9 months. We work hard to come up with effective solid waste management
techniques. We promoted ECOBRICKS construction in our city. And I am proud to say that till now we
have managed more than 200 kg of plastic. But I strongly believe our work will not have effective
outcome if plastic being produced and sold in markets, we will be successful in our mission of plastic
free city/state/country only if plastic ban being implemented at all levels.

Therefore, I was shocked, saddened and felt compelled to write to you when I read your statement
regarding plastic ban in Punjab, “(plastic ban) possible or not. will it remain on paper… and I think
that is the reality.” With the plastic waste mounting, it is time to question the solutions. Do we need
a waste sorting site or emphasis on – collection of segregated waste and steps towards no
generation of plastic waste at source?

Dumping mixed plastic waste on the ground leads to leaching of toxic waste into the groundwater.
Creating problem and we all know that traces of particles are common in drinking water now a days.

More and more countries are realizing the cost burden of processing plastic waste. Recently, The
Philippines joined other Asian countries in saying no to dirty plastic waste. Amid, a global movement
to phase out non recyclable plastic your thoughts come as a shock. Microplastics are now found in
drinking water and even fish!

A recent report “Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Costs Of A Plastic Planet” by highly reputed Center
For International Environmental Law (CIEL) examines different stages of plastics contributing to
global greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. In the end, High-Priority Strategies included:

(1) Stop the production and use of single-use, disposable plastic products. (pg 82) ….. the most direct
and most effective way to address the plastic crisis is to dramatically reduce the production of
unnecessary plastic, beginning with national or global bans on nearly all single-use, disposable
plastic. Stopping the plastic pollution problem at its source—stopping the production of non-
essential plastic—is the surest way to curtail emissions throughout the plastic life cycle.

(2) Zero-waste systems, including bans on incineration and open burning, reduce plastic-related
emissions directly by dramatically reducing the burning of plastic. This includes similar technologies
such as gasification, pyrolysis, and plastic-to-fuel. (pg. 83)

In the times of climate emergency, we don’t have the time to try and fail. Emergencies require
urgent action. Plastic ban is one of them.

Fish or meat can be taken in boxes, bread in a newspaper and so on. The start can be banning plastic
carry bags by your esteemed government and implementing it rather than believing that its “not
practically possible”. This will compel people to change their habits.
Talking about solutions further, all packaged items can be bought locally, toothpaste with tooth
powder, shampoos can be replaced by soap seeds or bars made locally with coconut oil, sanitary
napkins and tampons by menstrual cups, panties or locally made biodegradable pads.

This is not an Utopian dream. I am not alone, a bunch of conscious citizens in Kapurthala Punjab are
living it with more striving to achieve it. You can check some of them out at the Waste-less Project.
Maybe, you should take part in the ECO-BRICKS program to see that it is indeed possible to ban
plastic bags, generate really less or no plastic waste and even dramatically reduce overall
waste generated.

I appeal to your good-self to look into the matter and take strict action against the culprits. Looking
forward to hearing from you.

Warmly

Divanshu