PPCB and EcoSikh join hands to promote compostable bags in Punjab
US based environmental organization EcoSikh joins hands with Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to push the use of compostable bags made out of potato and corn/bio-based starch at all religious places in Punjab. Heads of all the major religions gathered today at Gurdwara Sri DukhNiwaran Sahib at the launch. The event was widely supported by all the religious bodies including Gurdwara DukhNiwaran Sahib and Gurdwara Sarabha Nagar, Jama Masjid Field Ganj, Durga Temple, Gyan Sthal and Sri Krishna Mandir. The event was designed to reach maximum masses via multi-faiths. As per United Nations, 80% of the world population belongs to one or the other religion. On this pious occasion Jathedar Sri Damdama Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh ji, Jathedar Giani Phoola Singh ji Kesgarh Sahib and Head Granthi Giani Malkiat Singh ji Sri Akal Takhat Sahib were also present to give their best wishes. It is to be noted PPCB launched these bags at Sri Harmandar Sahib Amritsar for carrying karah parshad on March 14, the Sikh Environment Day. Since then the environmental groups have felt the need to popularize these bags at the major Gurdwaras and religious spots in Punjab and push them in the market. The non-biodegradable plastic bags have created a havoc in Punjab’s environment whereas these bags will not effect the environment as they decompose naturally in 180 days when exposed to water or sunlight or disposed off in garbage. Additionally, they are not harmful to animals if consumed. Said PPCB Chief Engineer, Pradeep Gupta, “This year India is hosting the World Environment Day, on June 5th, under the theme ‘beat the plastic pollution’, and PPCB has applied all its sincere efforts to popularize the manufacturing and sales of the bio-degradable bags. In the last decade one time use plastic bags has brought Punjab on the top ranking in terms of pollution. As per past PPCB reports Punjab produces about 4300 tonnes of garbage everyday. Assumingly 25% of the total municipal solid waste is comprised of plastic bags, which makes 1100 tonnes of plastic daily, most of it is not recycled and ends up in polluting rivers and our soils.
