The greening of a throwaway society

We’ve all begun to think green after being assailed by irrefutable facts regarding global warming and climate change. We are told we can make a difference, each in our own small way.

While travelling by train with family after a long, long time, we kept our eyes peeled for a glimpse of the famous tiered Doodhsagar Falls (sea of milk) on Mandovi river on the Goa-Karnataka border. Sadly, when it came into view, it was a mere trickle, but we consoled ourselves with the thought that we were in the right place but at the wrong time. We had heard it was a breathtaking sight in the monsoon season.

As the train slowed down when it neared one of many bends on its way up the Western Ghats (the mountain range running along western India) the sight of torn pieces of plastic bags and paper plates and glasses strewn in the wilderness made us feel a sense of loss. Who would retrieve this mess in this remote area? Would it just lie there till it disintegrated years later, disfiguring the otherwise beautiful landscape? Thinking about this made us feel a profound sense of regret at the selfishness of our throwaway society.

While in Goa, we went shopping for groceries. We didn’t carry any bags with us simply because we had none. After stocking up on what we considered essentials for our four-day stay, we were amazed at the amount piled up on the counter. That’s when we were asked where were our carry bags. Now this wasn’t what I was expecting in a tiny grocery off the beaten track. My sister and I stared uncomprehendingly at the owner for a short while, wondering if he would suddenly burst into laughter and say of course he was going to pack the items for us. But the silence seemed to stretch into eternity as we had this staring match.

Finally, in a small voice, we asked if we could please have some plastic bags as we were on a holiday and hadn’t thought of carrying our own. Reluctantly taking out one measly bag made of the flimsiest plastic I had ever seen, he started filling it, informing us that we would have to pay for it. We were so relieved at his magnanimity that we said in a chorus: “That’s absolutely fine”. In that helpless state, we would probably have been willing to pay any price for that precious container.

Looking suitably chastened, we prayed that the bag wouldn’t give way before we reached home. Images of eggs spattered on the ground and bread biting the dust made us flinch.

Needless to say we had to carry all the heavy items in the crooks of our arms and that’s when we wished we had several of these to accommodate all our purchases. Despite our discomfort, the outing had been an eye-opener. Was this a one-off incident? No, it wasn’t. In other places I visited, it was the same. Everyone carried eco-friendly cloth bags to stores.

The saying “Cut your coat according to the cloth” applies here too. Only do as much shopping as you are prepared to carry in your bag. Or be prepared to make several trips to your car, which isn’t really practical. Given that parking spaces are as precious as gold, you will have probably found a space about a mile (or so it seems when you are laden with bags) from where you are.

People being forced to use eco-friendly material is a good thing. If we had a choice, we would take the easy way out. So, it is heartening to see the trunks of many cars filled with a variety of bags, all shapes and sizes, for that next trip to the supermarket. It’s now become a way of life for most and that can only be a good thing.