Sir: It is estimated that every plastic-bag we use in our everyday life takes 10 to 1,000 years to decompose and plastic bottles can take 450 years or more. Plastic bags should be banned as they are non-biodegradable causing pollution and cannot be recycled as burning plastic diffuses harmful smoke. Plastic also emits some radiation also, proving to be a choking hazard for small animals and people. Plastic water bottles are also thought to be carcinogenic. The consequences of plastic products include the deadly burden of plastic bags on marine animals, such as whales and sea turtles, or toxic fumes released by waste incinerators when plastic is burned. A plastic bag is always the wrong option. It pollutes and toxic throughout its production and use. What’s more, it poses a deadly threat to marine and land-based life and must always be burned or buried, even after being recycled a few times. Although bag bans won’t solve the plastic crisis on their own, they do help to change plastic consumption habits and cause consumers and retailers to be more open to alternatives. Ban on plastic can help to change plastic consumption habits and cause consumers and retailers to be more open to alternatives. IRFAN KHAN Karachi