USE OF PLASTICS IN INDIA
The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil is the degradation of an
environment.Thus any type of imbalance in an environment is undesirable.But
humans are continously interrupting the cycle of nature for their own
comforts.PLASTICS, the non-biodegradable thing is used by everybody as it is
convenient and easy to use right from the vegetable vendor to a designer store.
But most of us are blissfully of the repurcussions that are occuring and will
take place in the future.This shows plastics have become an immense part of a
human life.
One report says” The per
capita consumption of plastic in India doubled from 4 kg in 2006 to 8 kg in
2010, and would touch the global average of 27 kg per person by 2020. Among the
factors driving this growth are increasing use of plastics in packaging,
infrastructure, agriculture, automotives, healthcare and FMCG segments”Ashok
Goel, president, PlastIndia Foundation, an industry body, said the current size
of the plastics industry is Rs 85,000 crore, and would grow at an average of 10
percent a year over the next five years to reach Rs 1.33 lakh crore by 2015.He
said 60 percent of the plastics
consumed in India is recycled, but the plastic remnants in municipal waste
(accounting for 3 percent of the total waste) create a negative impression
around its use. 60 percent of
the plastics consumed in India is recycled, but the plastic remnants in
municipal waste (accounting for 3 percent of the total waste) create a negative
impression around its use.
Another report in
Business-Standard says” The per capita consumption of plastic in the country
stood at 6 kg now and is expected to go up to 12 kg by 2011. By 2012, India is
also projected to be the third largest consumer market for plastic goods with a
consumption of 12.5 million tonnes per annum, behind US and China. While the
consumption of plastics in US is projected at 38.9 million tonnes per annum,
China will be neck to neck with US at 38.8 million tonnes per annum."
Now the question is why this
issue is critical? The following effects of use of plastics gives us the
answer.
Litter the landscape: Once they are used, most bags go into landfill, or
rubbish tips. Each year more and more bags are ending up littering the
environment. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our
waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. And, if they are burned, they infuse
the air with toxic fumes.
Kill animals: About 100,000 animals such as dolphins, turtles whales,
penguins are killed every year due to these bags. Many animals ingest plastic
bags, mistaking them for food, and therefore die. And worse, the ingested
plastic bag remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the
animal. Thus, it lies around in the landscape where another victim may ingest
it.
Non-biodegradable:And one of the worst environmental effects is that they
are non-biodegradable. The decomposition takes about 400 years. No one will
live so long to witness decomposition of plastic. Thus, save the environment
for the future generation of humans as well as animals.
Petroleum is required to produce plastic bags: As it is, petroleum
products are diminishing and getting more expensive by the day, since we have
used this non-renewable resource increasingly. Petroleum is vital for our
modern way of life. It is necessary for our energy requirements - for our
factories, transport, heating, lighting, and so on.
So.the next thing to take
into account is ”What can be done about the Use of Plastic Bags?”Single-use
bags have become such a ubiquitous way of life that it seems as if we simply
cannot do without them. However, if we have the will, we can start reducing
their use in small ways.A ban on plastics is already levied but the ammendment
of the act is not seen up to the mark and the impact of the ban is not observed
for a long term.There must be a social awareness regarding the issue only after
which the scenario will change.
A tote bag can make a good
substitute for holding the shopping. You can keep the bag with the cashier, and
then put your purchases into it instead of the usual plastic bag.Recycling the
bags you already have is another good idea. These can come into use for various
purposes, like holding your garbage, instead of purchasing new ones.More and
more goods need to be packed within a recyclable plastic.
While governments may be
working out ways to lessen the impact of plastic bags on the environment,
however, each of us should shoulder some of the responsibility for this
problem, which ultimately harms us.
Brijesh Kesharia
7th Mechanical
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