So I thought, what, if anything, can be done to reduce India’s reliance on plastic bags and the consequential impact on environment. To stem the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from plastics going into the environment, I propose a couple of simple rules

1. Add a plastic tariff to the total grocery bill. If each shop were to add a 10 Rupees to the total amount on the bill, when the customer chooses plastic bags, I think every customer would bring their own bag. I have known people go to greater lengths to save a buck so 10 rupees would definitely create the awareness. Back before the glorious days of introduction of plastic bags, we used to carry a bag to the grocery store and bring home all the groceries we bought. So it is like going back to the good old habits.
2. Grocers/Retailers give out bags as mode of advertisement Since customers are anyway going to carry these bags to shops, why not use that as real-estate for advertisement. Retailers/Grocers should make bags with their brands displayed and give each customer a bag, in return for their name, address. This would amount to triple-dipping for Retailers.

1. Firstly, they will get all the customers to carry these bags with their brands, logos and get millions of eyeballs/impressions from people who see them
2. Secondly, they can build a large database of customer names and addresses which their marketing team will happily accept in return for using part of marketing budget to fund the bags.
3. Thirdly, they will have done their part as good citizens in keeping the environment free from plastics

Do I hear Reliance, Spencers, Pantaloon kicking off environmentally friendly shopping process

This would be a nice tag-line for the Reliance bag

Reduce your on Plastics and be a nature’s friend.

UPDATE:

As if to take a cue from this article Delhi High Court today ordered Delhi Government to ban plastic bags. Other states need to follow Delhi for this to become a nationwide imperative.