Products made out of plastics have become an integral part of our lives. We have been so addicted to it that we can't live a day if we can't use plastics.
We need straws to sip our drinks through. Even though fastfood chains have metallic utensils like spoon and fork, we still ask for disposable ones. We prefer to take-out food rather than dining in.These are some of the signs of our addiction to plastics.
In Cebu City, the city where I resided, our Local Government created an ordinance to ban sando bags or plastics in business establishments like groceries and malls. However, even with the initiative of the government to lessen our plastic usage, some people will still pay for sando bags at 5 pesos each rather than using "bulsitas" or paper bags. Due to this, the ordinance's purpose is defeated.
Why can't we really get rid of plastics?
1. We are used to it. In other words, we are very much addicted to plastic that in the event someone makes a move to ban or even regulate our use of plastics we oppose.
2. Convenience. We can't deny the fact that through using plastics, our lives have become easier. We can transport almost anything from one place or the other using plastic bags without worrying because plastic bags are more durable and strong than using paper bags. So, you can really expect that the things you are transporting will be intact once it arrived to its destination.
3. No Political will. Even though Cebu City has an ordinance banning the use of plastic bags some establishments continue to use it because the authorities are not serious about their drive to regulate the use of plastic bags. You just give a little "padangog" to the inspectors and you are exempted from the ordinance. Also, LGUs are not doing anything to educate the people on the effects of plastics in the environment.
If only people are well educated and sensitive about the effects of plastics to the environment, then it would be easier to get rid of it. If only people will realize that plastics pose hazards to the animals and plants. Let us not wait that our future generations will see the animals that roam today only in the pictures. Let us help each other so that our children will live in the world as it is today, or even better.
The time is running out. Preserve nature. The time to act is now.
