Polythene Bag – CBSE NCERT Study Resources

Polythene bags cause long-term environmental damage due to their non-biodegradable nature.

• They clog drains, causing floods, as seen in urban areas.
• Soil fertility reduces when polythene mixes with earth, like in farmlands near cities.

We can use cloth bags or paper bags, as our textbook shows, to replace polythene.

Polythene bags are harmful, yet some shopkeepers still use them.

• They take 1000+ years to decompose, as per NCERT, polluting landfills.
• Animals often eat them, leading to death, like cows in Delhi.

Shopkeepers should switch to reusable bags, aligning with eco-friendly practices we studied.

A campaign to reduce polythene use requires practical steps.

• Distribute cloth bags door-to-door, like the 'Swachh Bharat' initiative.
• Conduct school workshops showing how polythene harms marine life, as in our textbook.

These activities can raise awareness and reduce dependency, as proven in NCERT case studies.

Polythene bags last longer but damage ecosystems.

• Polythene resists degradation, choking soil for centuries (NCERT example).
• Jute bags decompose in months, like those used in rural markets.

Though less durable, jute or paper bags align with sustainability, as we studied.

• Stray animals mistake polythene for food, causing digestive blockages or death.
• Our textbook shows chemicals in polythene poison soil and water.

• Cheap and lightweight, polythene is overused in packaging.
• Our textbook cites poor waste segregation as a cause.

• Crude oil extraction harms ecosystems (textbook example: oil spills).
• Energy-intensive manufacturing increases carbon footprint.

• Discarded bags accumulate in drains, reducing water drainage capacity.
• Textbook links this to artificial floods (e.g., Mumbai 2005).

Polythene bags pollute soil and water due to their non-biodegradability.

• They block soil pores, reducing fertility (e.g., crops fail in landfills).
• Marine animals mistake them for food, causing death (e.g., turtle ingestion cases).

Alternatives like jute bags or paper bags decompose naturally, as shown in NCERT’s waste management chapter.

Shopkeepers resist polythene bans due to cost and habit.

• Polythene is cheaper (e.g., ₹2/bag vs. ₹10 cloth bag).
• Customers demand convenience (e.g., carry groceries easily).

Government subsidies for alternatives (like NCERT’s Kerala model) and awareness campaigns can help shift practices.

Daily polythene waste accumulates rapidly.

• Annual waste: 500 × 365 = 1,82,500 bags.
• Methods: Recycling (e.g., NCERT’s Delhi plant) or incineration (with pollution control).

Community bins and recycling drives, as in our textbook’s Surat example, can reduce harm.

Polythene blocks drains, causing floods and diseases.

• Waterlogging (e.g., Chennai floods in NCERT case study).
• Mosquito breeding (e.g., dengue outbreaks in stagnant water).

Strict bans and public clean-ups, like Bengaluru’s ‘Namma Clean’ initiative, are vital.

Polythene bags harm soil by reducing fertility and blocking water absorption.

• They release toxins, killing soil microbes.
• Non-biodegradable nature clogs soil pores.

Our textbook suggests jute bags and paper bags as eco-friendly alternatives. For example, vegetables can be carried in cloth bags.

Banning polythene bags reduces pollution but may inconvenience users.

• Advantage: Less litter, like in Sikkim where bans improved cleanliness.
• Disadvantage: Shoppers struggle, as seen when Delhi initially enforced the ban.

We studied that reusable bags solve both issues, like Mumbai’s cloth bag adoption.

Polythene recycling is costly and inefficient due to material complexity.

• Mixed waste contaminates recyclable polythene.
• Low melting point limits reuse options.

Our textbook shows Bengaluru’s waste piles as an example. Segregation at source, like in Indore, helps.

Animals mistake polythene for food, causing internal damage.

• Cows ingest bags while grazing, leading to stomach blockages.
• Sea turtles choke on floating bags, confusing them with jellyfish.

We studied cases in Kerala (cows) and Odisha (turtles). Biodegradable packaging can save them.

Vendors used polythene bags due to low cost and convenience, ignoring the ban.

• Polythene bags are cheap and easily available, making vendors prefer them.
• Our textbook shows they harm soil and marine life by being non-biodegradable.

Vendors can switch to cloth bags or recycled paper bags, as these are eco-friendly and reusable.

Posters visually depict the dangers of polythene to marine animals.

• Posters evoke empathy, making students realize the harm caused by plastic waste.
• Our textbook states polythene blocks digestive systems of marine creatures and pollutes water.

Such campaigns encourage reducing plastic use, protecting ecosystems.

Animals mistake polythene for food, leading to health risks.

• Polythene causes intestinal blockages and starvation in animals, as per our textbook.
• It releases toxins when ingested, damaging their organs.

Using covered bins and community clean-ups can reduce animal exposure to waste.

Leaf plates decompose naturally, unlike polythene.

• They reduce plastic waste, as studied in our textbook’s chapter on sustainability.
• Leaf plates enrich soil as compost, while polythene persists for centuries.

Such traditions align with eco-friendly goals, preventing pollution.

To convince Rahul's mother to stop using polythene bags, the following points can be highlighted:

• Environmental Harm: Polythene bags are non-biodegradable and take hundreds of years to decompose, polluting soil and water.
• Wildlife Threat: Animals often mistake polythene for food, leading to choking or digestive blockages, which can be fatal.
• Health Risks: Burning polythene releases toxic fumes, causing respiratory diseases and air pollution.
• Long-term Savings: Though cloth bags may seem costly initially, they are reusable and durable, saving money in the long run.

By switching to cloth bags, she can contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Two eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags for carrying heavy items are:

• Jute Bags: Made from natural fibers, jute bags are sturdy, reusable, and biodegradable. They can easily carry heavy groceries without tearing.
• Recycled Cloth Bags: These are durable, washable, and can be reinforced with stitching to handle weight. They reduce waste by repurposing old fabrics.

Both options are sustainable and help reduce plastic pollution while being practical for daily use.

The continued use of polythene bags harms the environment in multiple ways:

• Non-biodegradable nature: Polythene bags take hundreds of years to decompose, leading to long-term soil and water pollution.
• Wildlife threat: Animals often mistake polythene for food, which can cause choking or digestive blockages.
• Clogged drainage: Discarded polythene bags block drains, increasing the risk of floods during heavy rains.

To ensure compliance with the ban, the following steps can be taken:

• Awareness campaigns: Educate shopkeepers and the public about the harmful effects of polythene and the benefits of alternatives like cloth bags.
• Strict penalties: Impose fines on those who violate the ban to discourage illegal use.
• Provide alternatives: The government can distribute affordable eco-friendly bags to encourage adoption.

By taking these measures, the town can reduce pollution and promote a cleaner environment.

Two practical solutions to reduce polythene bag usage in households are:

• Promoting reusable bags: Encourage households to use cloth or jute bags for shopping. These bags are durable, washable, and can be used multiple times, reducing the need for polythene.
• Community recycling programs: Set up collection points where people can deposit used polythene bags for recycling. This prevents them from ending up in landfills and promotes responsible disposal.

Expected benefits:

• Reduced pollution: Fewer polythene bags mean less harm to soil, water, and wildlife.
• Cost savings: Reusable bags save money in the long run as they eliminate the need for frequent purchases of disposable bags.
• Increased awareness: Community efforts foster a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

By adopting these solutions, households can contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet.

(a) The municipality banned polythene bags because they were causing severe harm to marine life. These non-biodegradable bags pollute water bodies, leading to ingestion or entanglement by aquatic animals, disrupting the ecosystem.

(b) Two sustainable solutions are:

• Subsidized alternatives: The government can provide financial support or subsidies to shopkeepers for switching to biodegradable bags (e.g., jute or cotton), reducing cost burdens.
• Awareness campaigns: Educating customers to carry reusable bags through incentives (e.g., discounts) can make the transition smoother for shopkeepers while promoting environmental responsibility.

(a) Polythene bags contribute to drainage blockage because they are lightweight and easily carried by wind or water into drains. Their non-biodegradable nature causes them to accumulate, forming clogs that disrupt water flow and lead to waterlogging.

(b) Two measures the school can take:

• Eco-club initiatives: Organize workshops or competitions to encourage students to use reusable bags and highlight the dangers of polythene.
• Strict policy enforcement: Ban polythene bags in school premises and promote alternatives like paper bags or metal tiffins for lunches, with regular checks to ensure compliance.

The non-biodegradable nature of polythene bags severely impacts the environment in multiple ways:

• Soil Pollution: They reduce soil fertility by blocking air and water penetration.
• Marine Life Threat: When dumped in water bodies, they are mistaken as food by aquatic animals, leading to death.
• Long Decomposition: They persist for centuries, accumulating in landfills and disrupting ecosystems.

Communities can adopt these eco-friendly alternatives:

• Cloth/Jute Bags: Reusable, biodegradable, and durable.
• Paper Bags: Easily recyclable and decompose faster.
• Banana/Leaf-Based Packaging: Natural and compostable.

Switching to these alternatives reduces environmental harm and promotes sustainability.

Psychological Benefits:

• Increased Responsibility: Campaigns foster a sense of accountability towards the environment.
• Behavioral Change: Awareness reduces dependency on polythene bags by promoting mindful consumption.

Social Benefits:

• Community Engagement: Collective action strengthens community bonds and shared goals.
• Role Modeling: Students inspire others, creating a ripple effect for sustainable practices.

Student Contributions:

• Organizing workshops or poster-making competitions to spread awareness.
• Encouraging families to switch to cloth/jute bags.
• Collaborating with local vendors to reduce polythene usage.

Such initiatives empower students to drive meaningful change while building a greener future.

The environmental impacts of polythene bags include:

• Non-biodegradability: They take hundreds of years to decompose, polluting soil and water.
• Harm to wildlife: Animals often mistake them for food, leading to choking or death.
• Blockage of drainage systems: This causes waterlogging and increases the risk of diseases.

To convince the shopkeeper, Riya can:

• Explain the legal penalties for using banned polythene bags.
• Suggest eco-friendly alternatives like cloth bags or paper bags, which are reusable and biodegradable.
• Highlight the positive reputation the shop will gain by adopting sustainable practices.

Arjun can propose the following measures:
Economic Measures:

• Introduce subsidies or incentives for vendors using eco-friendly bags to offset higher costs.
• Implement a small tax on polythene bags to make alternatives more appealing.

• Organize awareness campaigns to educate vendors and customers about the long-term harms of polythene.
• Encourage community participation by promoting reusable bags through local events or competitions.

These steps combine financial support and public engagement to create a sustainable shift away from polythene.