The usage of plastic will not come down unless the people realise the damage done to environment by them, Asian University for Women, Bangladesh, researchers said.
The university research scholars Ayid T Jani and K.Nimish addressing a press conference at the Vasavya Mahila Mandali said they had come here to conduct a survey on the use of plastics and its impact on the environment.
Revealing the findings they said 50 per cent of the people do not know that plastic was not bio-degradable and they continue to use plastic bags.
Less than a third of the people were showing interest in the recycling of plastics. Knowledge about the damage caused to the environment by the use of plastics was abysmally poor amongst the general public. However 80 per cent are ready to use alternatives to plastic bags it was available.
The research scholars said that paper, cloth, and jute were very good alternatives to plastic for making of bags.
They suggested that awareness about bio-degradable and non-biodegradable waste should be promoted and separate garbage bins for the two types of waste should be promoted. Rag pickers should be given incentive to collect plastic bags and fine of Rs. 100 should be collected from people using plastic bags, they said.
Former MP and Vasavya Mahila Mandali chairperson Ch.Vidya said the NGO was working to promote awareness on the environmental impact of plastics.