There was a mixed response to the ban on single-use plastic that came into effect from Friday in the national Capital. While some shopkeepers in the city sent back customers who had come to shop without a carry bag, some others were found using plastic carry bags despite the ban. A majority of shopkeepers and customers were not aware of the ban. Vegetables sellers across the national Capital were also seen using polythene bags.
“No plastic” posters were seen outside shops in major markets in Delhi including Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar and Palika Bazaar, and most shopkeepers urged people to use alternatives. A few shopkeepers were, however, seen hesitantly selling items in polythene bags as they were “still left with some stock”, while traders’ bodies took rounds of the Sarojini Nagar market at regular intervals to ensure the protocol was being followed.
Most customers were seen without the trademark white Sarojini Nagar polythene bag, but plastic bags were seen lying on the roads there, and roadside eateries were still serving food in plastic plates and giving plastic cutlery.
Shops in the Sarojini Nagar market had put up laminated posters pronouncing “Time to say no to plastic -- Fine upto one lakh”. “We have put up posters and distributed circulars. In the morning, we sent WhatsApp messages to all the shopkeepers to not use single-use plastic. We are also making rounds in the markets,” said Ashok Randhawa, “We are trying to convince them.”
At Palika Bazaar, shopkeepers were seen refusing to provide plastic bags to customers. “Many customers have gone without purchasing items because they did not have carry bags. It is not good for business but we cannot do anything,” a shopkeeper said.
“We have been using plastic bags and containers for daily sales and purchase and now we no other substitute in place,” said Ramesh, a shopkeeper from Bhogal market.
“Most of the customers are not aware about the ban and they are coming to buy groceries items without carry bags. ,” said Ramesh.
Aditya, a delivery food joint owner in sector-20, Noida said that since their business majorly runs on delivery of food items, it would be very difficult to suddenly transition to paper containers and it would not be effective and would also prove extremely costly to them.
“There should be an alternate before even schemes comes to effect. Now, how would we do delivery of food items as plastic containers are banned? What is the alternate of plastic containers used in delivery of food items,” he questioned.
However a shopkeeper from INA market welcoming the move said that this has been a long-awaited decision and people should eagerly participate and co-operate.
“Over the years excessive misuse of polythene bags and single-use plastic has led to this present state of soil and water degradation. This was much needed and we need to save our environment for healthy life,” he said.
At the Lajpat Nagar market, the shopkeepers claimed they have not been using single use plastic for long. “We have been using cloth bags for a long time.
However, some customers prefer carrying items in a polythene bag rather than a cloth or a paper bag. We have also stopped using other items like plastic glasses and straws,” said a shopkeeper. Ashwani Marwah, general secretary of the traders’ association in Lajpat Nagar, said the shopkeepers have stopped purchasing banned items and tried to finish the stock by June 30.