The ban on buveera not necessary
Jul 16, 2007
I think the issue of buveera (polythene bags) has been rushed. These polythene bags are only a small portion of the non-degradable plastic materials we use in form of plates, cups, shoes and chairs.
hope Mbabazi
I think the issue of buveera (polythene bags) has been rushed. These polythene bags are only a small portion of the non-degradable plastic materials we use in form of plates, cups, shoes and chairs.
I am told plastic gadgets can even be used in correcting life-threatening heart disorders. Buveera are convenient particularly in packing foodstuffs.
This is, however, not to underestimate the harm these buveera, and all plastic indeed, can do to our environment. But anything good — electricity, water, milk and others — can turn bad when not well handled.
The proposed alternatives to buveera will also degrade the environment even faster. Forests, swamps and banana plantations will be plundered to provide these ‘harmless’ packing materials.
True, some neighbouring countries have banned the use of polythene bags, but their reasons for doing so do not have to be ours as well. We can instead opt for a better way of solving the problem, such as properly disposing. To this effect, I suggest that we stick to the 3Cs guideline of Collect, Code and re-Cycle.
For collection, many people have come up with good ideas of increasing receptacles in public places and buses. After collection, coding can be in three categories: Decomposing like banana leaves, non-decomposing plastics like buveera and non decomposing sharps like broken glass. The buveera and other plastics, can be re-cycled into many other useful products like mattresses, buckets and seats.
Who does this? Everyone. We should start with the ‘my cars’ and others who are used to drinking mineral water and throwing the empty bottles through the windows. The elite and civilised also have to defend their titles by demonstrating this to the young and uneducated in schools, markets, places of worship, offices and homes.
Some financial input will be required from the Government through NEMA to educate the public about the dangers of polythene bags rather than threatening people with imprisonment.
This way, we will not be victims of technology. The looming mountain of plastics will suddenly turn into a pile of raw materials for more useful items for the betterment of our economy.
Town councils will take up more workers thus alleviating the unemployment problem
The writer is a Medical Laboratory
Scientist at Mbarara University of Science and Technology
I think the issue of buveera (polythene bags) has been rushed. These polythene bags are only a small portion of the non-degradable plastic materials we use in form of plates, cups, shoes and chairs.
I am told plastic gadgets can even be used in correcting life-threatening heart disorders. Buveera are convenient particularly in packing foodstuffs.
This is, however, not to underestimate the harm these buveera, and all plastic indeed, can do to our environment. But anything good — electricity, water, milk and others — can turn bad when not well handled.
The proposed alternatives to buveera will also degrade the environment even faster. Forests, swamps and banana plantations will be plundered to provide these ‘harmless’ packing materials.
True, some neighbouring countries have banned the use of polythene bags, but their reasons for doing so do not have to be ours as well. We can instead opt for a better way of solving the problem, such as properly disposing. To this effect, I suggest that we stick to the 3Cs guideline of Collect, Code and re-Cycle.
For collection, many people have come up with good ideas of increasing receptacles in public places and buses. After collection, coding can be in three categories: Decomposing like banana leaves, non-decomposing plastics like buveera and non decomposing sharps like broken glass. The buveera and other plastics, can be re-cycled into many other useful products like mattresses, buckets and seats.
Who does this? Everyone. We should start with the ‘my cars’ and others who are used to drinking mineral water and throwing the empty bottles through the windows. The elite and civilised also have to defend their titles by demonstrating this to the young and uneducated in schools, markets, places of worship, offices and homes.
Some financial input will be required from the Government through NEMA to educate the public about the dangers of polythene bags rather than threatening people with imprisonment.
This way, we will not be victims of technology. The looming mountain of plastics will suddenly turn into a pile of raw materials for more useful items for the betterment of our economy.
Town councils will take up more workers thus alleviating the unemployment problem
The writer is a Medical Laboratory
Scientist at Mbarara University of Science and Technology