Question

The teacher had just finished the chapter on environment in her class X lecture. She then placed four types of carry bags on the table in the classroom. These were cloth carry bag, paper carry bag, polythene carry bag and jute carry bag. The teacher asked Anushka to choose any two bags which she thinks are the most environment-friendly. Anushka thought for a while and then picked up cloth carry bag and jute carry bag.
(a) Explain why, Anushka did not choose the polythene carry bag though it is long lasting and water-proof ?
(b) What is the reason for not choosing the paper bag ?
(c ) Why did Anushka choose only cotton cloth bag and jute bag ?
(d) What values are displayed by Anushka in making her choices ?

Answer 1

(a) Anushka did not choose a polythene carry bag because polythene is a plastic which is a non-biodegradable material. Polythene bags lie scattered here and there and cause a lot of pollution. It is also not possible to dispose of old polythene bags by burning because they produce extremely harmful gases on burning.
(b) Anushka did not choose the paper bag because though paper is biodegradable material but it is made from wood for which many forest trees have to be cut down regularly. So, Anushka did not choose paper bag to save trees by preventing deforestation.
(c ) Anushka chose cloth bag and jute bag because cloth bag is made of cloth which comes from cotton crop grown in fields. Similarly, jute for making jute bag is obtained from jute crop grown in fields by the farmers. Since both cotton and jute are grown as crops in fields and they are biodegradable too, therefore, making of cloth bag and jute bag does not harm the environment in any way.
(d) The values displayed by Anushka are (i) Awareness (or knowledge) of biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials, and (ii) Concern for the environment.