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Across the globe, plastics carry
bags are being very widely. Despite some good measures that have
been implemented in collection and recycling, littering of these
bags cause a menace. These carry bags tend to clog drains or choke
sanitations as they clutter all around. Some countries have introduced
the criteria of a minimum thickness of 20 microns to prevent clogging
and choking, but with limited success. Many countries have adopted
an introduction of tax or extra levy to prevent littering of these
carry bags. All these measures have brought some success to combat
the menance that has been created by the littering habit of consumers.
Recently efforts have been made to introduce biopolymers
to prevent pollution. These efforts also help to some extent. However
they are quite expensive and have met with limited success. Efforts
have been made to develop biodegradable carry bags that disintegrate
within a month. Starch based biodegradable carry bags are being
increasingly used.
Infact, Biopac, a company involved in such developments,
in colloboration with the UK based chain of stores Saintsbury, has
developed "30% Tapioca based starch PE carry bags". These
bags completely disintegrated within 28 days, when composted. Saintsbury
plans to introduce this bags from April 2003. Will this new initiative
help in prevention of pollution? Only time will tell its success.
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