In this special episode dedicated to #PlasticFreeJuly, we speak with Dr. Meenakshi Bharat, a gynecologist by profession and an environmentalist at heart. 

Dr. Meenakshi is a member of the Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT), an organisation that works on Policy and Governance with the Government in Bengaluru. She is part of many campaigns connected to waste management and waste reduction. In this episode, she provides inputs on how to reduce the use of single-use-plastic. “First of all, one should go and see a landfill, because that is a disaster! If one sees that disaster, then one will not wish to be part of making that disaster! That is how one will realise that the waste they create in turn creates a big impact on the health of everyone in the community.” Dr. Meenakshi also highlights the financial consequences of such wanton waste creation. “We started avoiding and reducing single-use plastic i.e teacups, plastic spoons and water bottles in our daily life to a great extent.” 

Dr. Meenakshi believes that society needs more awareness on the issue. She once shared a video of a wedding from her own family to highlight the fact that conducting a plastic-free celebration is possible. She stopped using plastic straws a long time back and she always insists that people think before they use and think before they throw anything. “For example, everyone celebrates their children’s birthday every year. One can make a small investment and buy a set of non-plastic plates, spoons, and cups that can be used every year, instead of plastic plates, spoons, and cups.”

Listen in for more!