Many of us struggle to take even the simplest steps—like avoiding single-use plastic or segregating waste — essential for sustaining our planet

The natural resources of the planet are a treasure directly impacting our environment and climate. We need to withdraw judiciously and invest wisely for sustained growth. We can incorporate daily practices to grow this wealth. We live in a high-rise condominium complex.

There was an animated discussion on the community WhatsApp group about a few residents feeding cows immediately outside the main exit. This causes the cattle to assemble when officegoers are in a hurry to exit. It is a potential traffic hazard.

One gentleman rightly pointed out that the food dumped in plastic bags was also a health hazard. A few vehement voices of protest were raised. For them, feeding the bovine was an age-old tradition. We need to think differently to address issues of concern.

A national campaign for a complete ban on single-use plastic was launched a few years back. Many of our smaller states have been conscious of the need for a long time. I travelled to Sikkim a few years back. The shopkeeper rummaged through his shelves.

He could barely manage a few old newspapers to wrap my provisions. Plastic bags have been banned in the state since 1998. We were also advised to bring empty bottles since packaged mineral water bottles were banned in north Sikkim. Individually we fail to be responsive to the urgent needs.

Many residents in our complex still demand plastic bags from the fruit and vegetable vendors and the grocery stores. Despite repeated instructions, many stores refuse to do away with single-use plastic. My wife has been carrying cloth bags for the last 15 years whenever she steps out to buy groceries or vegetables, and even to the malls. Municipal authorities in several cities have successfully implemented the management of segregated waste at the household level. I stayed in Indore for a couple of days a few years back. I was intrigued by a song following me when I stepped out for the morning walk.

I noticed people coming out of homes with garbage bags in their hands. It was the garbage collection vehicle playing the melodious song. The song exhorted residents to segregate waste. The song was also a knock on the door about the van’s arrival. I had heard so much about the unique model of Indore towards a cleaner and environment-friendly city. This was the living proof.

I was surprised to notice construction and demolition debris stacked in front of the houses under construction or renovation. I was told that the municipal department collected waste from the doorstep and disposed of the same at designated sites.

All of this has not happened overnight. Someone took the first step. Others joined, to make it a mass movement. We have been struggling to implement waste segregation within our society for the past 8 years. The rules mandate it. We still manage to find reasons to justify inaction.

Even the neighbours are not doing it, segregation is cumbersome, the timing for waste collection does not fit into the routine, and an individual cannot make a difference, are only a few of the excuses for not doing it. The first step is the most difficult to take. We spent a couple of days recently in Alibaug. My wife is passionate about the cause and does not get disheartened easily.

I was surprised when she remarked, “It seems that we might not see a cleaner country in our lifetime!” I would remind her and others about Barack Obama’s words, “We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.”

(The author is an electrical engineer with the Indian Railways and conducts classes in creative writing; views are personal)