Abstract
Anthropogenic activities are causing slow extinction of fauna, flora, and fungi in natural environment through toxic pollution. It is probably due to industrial and technological advancement in recent decades. This pollution may be of air, water, soil, radioactivity, or plastics. Of these, the most widely spread form is pollution by plastics. It is drastically dangerous and harmful for marine life, but it also affects human health. Since plastic is non-biodegradable, one can hardly get rid of it. The harmful chemicals get absorbed in the plastic debris, have a varied and harmful range of chronic effects like endocrine disorders. Therefore, it is high time for the government to take stringent steps to overcome the problems associated with plastic pollution. Policy makers and advisers should sternly follow the steps: never throw plastic bags on roads; always carry bags from home; and, use paper decorative items rather than of plastics as paper can be reused.
TopIntroduction
“India is the fastest-growing economy in the world today. We are committed to realizing the standards of our people in a way that is sustainable and green,” Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, India on World Environment Day
Plastics are materials that are light in weight, strong, durable, and resistant to corrosion and are inexpensive. They also possess thermal and electrical insulation properties. Their diverse and versatile properties have made its use possible in a large variety of products for packing and storage. Plastics are materials which are not used directly but are generally mixed with resins and additives to enhance its applicability (Thompson et al., 2009).
Plastic pollution is emerging as a top threat to ocean ecosystems. By 2025, there could be 1 ton of plastics for every 3 tons of fish in the ocean. -An Earth Law Solution to Ocean Plastic Pollution by Michelle Bender
The Beginning
Age of Plastics came into existence after World War II due to reduction and shortfall in rubber and other natural materials. There was a surplus of synthetic and fossil fuels which caused companies to create market for plastic products. This led to increase in production of synthetic plastics at reduced costs, making them more competitive than natural materials. It successively entered every walk of life becoming a part and parcel of life. Figure 1 shows the rise in plastic consumption in India. Excessive use of plastics became a chaos leading to dumping of piles in grounds due to its non-biodegradable nature.
Figure 1: Rise in Plastic Consumption (Source: CPCB, India)
Figure 2a:
Plastic pollution from different countries
Approximately 140 million tons of plastics are produced throughout the world each year. In India also around 4-5% of municipal solid waste (MSW) material are post-consumer plastics in comparison to 6-10% in the US, Europe and other developed countries. India recycled 47% of its total plastic waste in contrast to China (11%), the US (3.5%), South Africa (15%), and UK (7%). There are around 20,000 plastics recycling industries in India with a daily capacity of 1,500 tons (Daspatnaik, 2016). Another article states that 8.3 billion metric tons (9.1 billion US tons) of virgin (non-recycled) plastic has been produced to date which has contributed 6.3 billion metric tons (6.9 billion US tons) of plastic waste. Out of this, 9% of the waste has been recycled while 12% of it incinerated. The remaining 79% (5.5 billion US tons) of plastics have accumulated in landfills and the natural environment. This has been represented in Figure 2b. It is estimated that 12 billion metric tons (13.2 billion US tons) will enter the landfills or the environment by 2050 if current production and waste management trends continue at the present rate. Hence, policies and management strategies need to be modified if plastic waste has to be reduced. This seems mandatory as collection of plastic waste would lead to hazardous after effects on mankind.
Figure 2b: Reusable percent of plastic products
More plastic waste per person is generated in high-income countries, according to a report on plastic pollution by Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser of Our World in Data. Although these countries are able to manage the waste well but still, plastic waste still enters rivers and oceans, especially from coastal areas. U.S.A. itself produces an alarming plastic litter of 275,000 tons every year with a high risk of polluting surrounding rivers and the ocean.
Plastic waste disposal has changed underwent change globally: earlier there was no recycling of plastics prior to 1980, while in 2015, approximately 20% of plastic was recycled and it is expected that recycling may increase to only 44% by 2050 (Dorger, 2019).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Plastic Waste: Accumulation of plastic materials in the Earth's environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans.
Waste Management (or Waste Disposal): Activities or actions taken up to manage waste from its generation to final disposal; it includes collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of waste, together with its monitoring and regulatory action.
Biodegradable: An item which may be degraded into natural materials in the environment without causing harm.
Reusable: That can be used again or more than once.
Policy: Plan or principle of action adopted or proposed by an individual, organization, or government.