Meendum Manjappai scheme

In news- The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has launched the ‘Meendum Manjappai’ scheme recently.

About the scheme-

It seeks to promote the use of cloth bags by the public and discourage the use of plastic bags, which have become rampant in the State over the years.
‘Meendum Manjappai’ campaign was organized by the state pollution control board.
The campaign is known as ‘Meendum Manjapai Vizhipunarvu Iyakkam’ (Back to Yellow Cloth Bag Awareness Campaign).
The campaign aims at reducing single-use plastic, which causes irreparable damage to the environment and natural resources.

What is single-use plastic?

Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled.
These items are things like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.
Petroleum based plastic is not biodegradable and usually goes into a landfill where it is buried or it gets into the water and finds its way into the ocean.
Although plastic will not biodegrade (decompose into natural substances like soil,) it will degrade (break down) into tiny particles after many years.
In the process of breaking down, it releases toxic chemicals (additives that were used to shape and harden the plastic) which make their way into our food and water supply.