Imagine walking down your street or biking to school. You might see colourful plastic bags tangled in trees, floating in puddles, or caught on fences. It’s a common sight in many towns and cities. But those bags aren’t just ugly litter—they’re causing big problems right where you live.
Plastic bags are everywhere because they’re cheap and handy. Since they were invented in the 1950s, billions have been used worldwide. But most plastic bags are made to be used once and then thrown away. Sadly, many don’t get recycled or properly disposed of. Instead, they end up in drains, roadsides, parks, and fields.
When plastic bags block drains, water from rain has nowhere to go. This causes flooding in streets and neighbourhoods. Floods damage homes, schools, and playgrounds. They also cause traffic jams and dangerous road conditions, affecting everyone in the community.
The journey of a plastic bag doesn’t stop at the road. Rain washes plastic litter from streets into rivers and lakes. These water currents carry the plastic all the way to the oceans. Floating plastic bags look like jellyfish to sea turtles, which swallow them by mistake. Eating plastic can block their stomachs, causing hunger or death. Birds and fish can get tangled in plastic waste, making it hard to move or breathe. These animals don’t just suffer—when they die or become sick, it affects the whole ecosystem. Humans, too, feel the effects since polluted water and seafood can harm our health.
Plastic bags break down very slowly. Instead of disappearing, they split into microplastics—tiny pieces smaller than a grain of rice. Microplastics mix with water and soil and enter the food chain. Scientists have even found microplastics in the air we breathe and the water we drink. This shows how deeply plastic pollution affects our planet.
CREDIT: UNSPLASH
In classrooms across Karnataka, young readers of Deccan Herald in Education revealed how they confront plastic waste in their daily lives and what simple, meaningful actions they believe can make a lasting difference.
Madhura Shri Rangarajan, Class 9, National Public School, Indiranagar, believes that the first step to change is refusal. “Refuse plastic bags at shops and carry cloth or paper bags instead,” she says. But she also feels there’s more to be done. “We can get creative — make ornaments, instruments, even clothes from plastic. Did you know plastic bags are also used in road construction?” she adds.
According to her, people continue using plastic because they’re so easy to get and cloth bags are more expensive. “Everyone can contribute. Even just reusing a plastic bag once more can make a difference.”
Sanah Sheikh, Class 7B, Delhi Public School, Mysuru, is clear about what we need to do: “Use cloth or tote bags, choose products with less packaging, and recycle plastic bags in proper bins. We should also ask stores to offer eco-friendly alternatives.”
She suggests turning old plastic bags into woven baskets or mats. “Cut them into strips, then braid or crochet them — they make great water-resistant items!” But she also notes that habits and convenience get in the way. “Some people still use plastic because it’s quick and easy. We need more awareness and better access to alternatives.” Her message to friends and family: “Let’s switch to reusable bags. Every small change adds up. Together, we can protect the planet.”
Sana Nambiar, Class 8B, Canara High School CBSE, has a whole list of better options: “Try jute, grass, recycled paper, or homemade cloth bags instead of plastic.” For creative reuse, she turns to gardening.
“Fill a plastic bag with soil, plant something in it, poke holes at the bottom, and hang it up. You can even paint the bag to make it pretty!” She says people stick with plastic because it’s cheap, waterproof, and available everywhere. Her advice? “Bring your own bags when you shop. And if you must use plastic, use it wisely and know how to dispose or reuse it properly.”
Hemani Khurana, Class 10, Baldwin Girls' High School, takes a practical and artistic approach. “Carry your own cloth or paper bags, buy in bulk to reduce packaging, and choose metal or glass containers. Even small swaps matter.” She’s also a fan of turning plastic bags into “plarn” — plastic yarn.
“You can weave or crochet plarn into rugs, lampshades or coasters.” She says that while convenience and habit make plastic hard to give up, we must try.
“Let’s be eco-heroes, not plastic villains,” she says. “One reusable bag at a time, we can make our Earth smile brighter.”
Mayuri, a Class 10 student from Kenbridge School, Kalaburagi, revealed how she tackles plastic waste in her daily routine. She always carries cloth bags when shopping, recycles milk pouches by handing them over to scrap dealers, and gives broken plastic items a second life by turning them into painted organisers or holders. Instead of plastic bottles, she sticks to steel ones.
When asked about creative recycling, Mayuri suggested innovative ideas like turning shredded single-use plastics into yarn for crafting rainwear, bags, or umbrellas. She also proposed setting up plastic scrap collection booths in every ward to make recycling more accessible.
Why do people still use plastic despite knowing the harm? “It’s cheap, easy to find, and convenient,” she explained. But she’s clear in her message to everyone around her: avoid all forms of plastic, especially thin polythene bags and plastic cookware. “Microplastics are creeping into our bodies. It’s time to make a change — now.”
Adithyan M, Class 9, Seshadripuram Public School, revealed how simple choices can reduce plastic bag waste: from carrying cloth bags to encouraging shops to offer paper or reusable options. He stressed that even old plastic bags could be repurposed through recycling or arts and crafts. His most creative suggestion? Using plastic bags as a low-cost method for harvesting rainwater and introducing government reward schemes for those who deposit plastic by weight.
As for why people still rely on plastic, Adithyan believes it’s about cost and convenience — it’s cheap, easily available, and hard to replace. But he adds a hopeful message: even if we can’t eliminate plastic bags entirely, using fewer of them and recycling responsibly can still ease the planet’s burden.
Jahnavi B H, Class 9, Jnana Ganga Central School, Bellare, keeps it simple and effective: “I carry reusable bags when I shop and avoid single-use plastics. I also try to support shops that use eco-friendly packaging.”
For reuse, she turns plastic into colourful baskets, mats, or even pillow stuffing.
“It gives plastic a second life.”
She says people often don’t feel the damage because it’s not immediate. “They don’t feel directly affected and changing habits is hard,” she says. But her message is hopeful: “Every time we refuse or reuse a plastic bag, we protect our planet. Let’s start now — small actions can lead to big change.”
CREDIT: ISTOCK
Animals sometimes use plastic bags as shelter
Sadly, this is unsafe and can trap or injure wildlife.
CREDIT: ISTOCK
Harms fishing industries
They damage equipment and reduce fish catches, affecting people’s livelihoods.
Invented in the 1950s
They became popular quickly because they are lightweight and cheap to produce.
Plastic bag production uses fossil fuels
Making plastic bags consumes oil and gas, contributing to climate change.
Causes floods by blocking drains
When drains get clogged with plastic bags, rainwater can’t flow properly.
Sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish
Eating plastic can harm or even kill these marine animals.
Wind can carry plastic bags for miles
Lightweight bags can travel long distances, spreading pollution far from where they were dropped.
CREDIT: ISTOCK
Plastic bags can harm plants
When buried in soil, they block sunlight and air, stopping plants from growing properly.
Microplastics from bags enter the food chain
Tiny plastic particles are found in fish, shellfish, and even drinking water.