A long time ago, I read a blog post about creating zero waste. I was shocked because, there, in the middle of the screen was a picture of a small ‘jam jar’. Inside the glass jar was the waste that the person had created over a period of two years. Waste, she/he could not recycle!
I have tried doing this but every time, I try, my weariness rather, my romance with convenience comes in the way. It’s not that I don’t care for the planet — No. I carry my own shopping bag to buy my groceries every week. Naturally, week after week, I beam with pride and talk to the man who stuffs my shopping into those bags about my habit, my planet and my mindfulness.
But something happened recently. A picture popped up on my Instagram feed. A little brown sea horse swam across the ocean clinging to a pink ear bud — the one that we fancifully use to clear out the ear wax. Unknown to itself, it was carrying trash that could result in its death or the death of another sea creature. A small stick of plastic, a convenience to man, a potential hazard to animals at large. This picture was followed by another post by Nat Geo. Printed on the cover of the magazine were the words — Planet or Plastic?
The answer I realised is not so obvious. Let me explain.
A brief trip to a supermarket leaves me with no choice but embrace plastic with its neat rustling sound. Pulses, grains, milk beckon me from the aisles. Liquid soaps, detergents, cleaning liquid lure me under the clear spotlights. Shampoos, eateries, salads, chips, fruits, vegetables — they all glitter in this transparent chemical wonder!
After a typical weekend trip to the supermarket, I welcome 20 polythene covers containing various pulses, 5 other covers with vegetables/fruits, five bottles with milk, juice, cleaning agents and one big bag of rice. The answer to the question — Planet or plastic? Today or tomorrow? — is not simple.
Paper and cloth bags
Another typical weekend ritual is the food. As the lazy Friday evening wears off, I make the routine phone call and order food. I announce to the man taking the order on the other side of the phone — “please don’t give any cutlery”. I beam — satisfied about doing the right thing. But, 30 minutes later, the food arrives in plastic take out containers inside a large plastic cover minus the cutlery.
I cannot think of my life without plastic. When I look back on my childhood, it seems to have happened in another lifetime where everything I needed came in paper and cloth bags. Back in the village where I grew up, my mother carried cloth bags and wicker basket for her shopping. The local shop keeper used paper cones to wrap pulses and grains, we had to carry our cans for oil, water gushed out of the taps and life was simple. I don’t remember seeing plastic bags in the house I grew up. If someone had asked me then, — Planet or plastic, I would have laughed at that person. Plastic? Was that even a threat?
Many years later, my conveniences took over my previous lifestyle. Plastic it was for water, soaps, food and even laundry. Every waking minute, I added more carbon foot print — blinded by my romance and oblivious to reason. Naturally, the answer to the question “Planet or plastic?” – is not going to be easy. The only way I can give the right answer to that question is by changing my lifestyle. But, the trouble is I am too much in love with this miracle that hounds our planet.
I cannot stop it but I know deep down that, I will have to distance myself — little by little, step by step. This, I know is not easy. Perhaps I should start by carrying my container to the restaurant and get my food. Perhaps, I should use stop using the lining in my garbage bin.
Perhaps I should look around for those little changes I can make. I may not be able to put my waste in a jam jar. But, I will try to fit my waste in a shoebox every week. Will I then be able to answer the question? I don’t know. But, I am ready to take the first step. Perhaps, thinking about the planet is not a bad idea. So, what is it going to be for you — Planet or plastic?
Sudha Subramanian is a freelance writer based in Dubai and the author of Life ... full of commas. Twitter: @sudhasubraman.
