Plastic Waste : Issues and Management

Contents :

• Plastic Waste ?

• Global Concern

• Source of Plastic Waste

• Why is Plastic Waste Increasing ?

• Impact of Plastic Waste

• Types of Plastic Waste

• How Can we Reduce Plastic Waste

• PWM Rules, 2016

• 4-R Formula

• Best way to Use of Plastic Waste

What is Plastic Waste ?

Plastic as a synthetic polymer substitute of natural materials has become an essential aspect of our lives. The production and consumption of plastic material simultaneously increased in the last few decades. It is estimated that approximately 70% of plastic packaging products are converted into plastic waste in a short span. Plastic Waste is also estimated that 83% of drinking water contains plastic and in 30 years there is likely to be more plastic in Oceans than fish. 

* Synthetic Polymers

* Globally plastic production - 150 million tonnes per year 

* Some Plastic do not Decomposed at all

& Others could take up to 450 years to break down

Global Concern :

• On an average, production of plastic globally crosses 150 Million tonnes per year.

• Its broad range of application is in packaging films, wrapping materials, shopping and garbage bags, fluid containers, clothing, toys, household and industrial products, and building materials.

• The Per Capita Plastic consumption in developed nations is more than developing nations.

• Some kinds of plastic do not decompose at all, others could take up to 450 years to break down.

• The recycling of a virgin plastic material can be done 2-3 times only.

• Only 60% of the plastic produced is recycled, balance 9400 tonnes of plastic is left unattended in environment causing land, air and water pollution.

• 70% of Plastic packaging products are converted into plastic waste in a short span.

Sources of Plastic Waste:

• Food wrappers & Containers, Bottles, Plastic bags, straws etc.

• The largest ocean-based source of plastic pollution is discarded fishing gear (including traps and nets).

• Sewage, medical waste, and other types of waste contain plastics.

Why is Plastic Waste Increasing ?

• Rapid population growth, urbanisation and industrial growth have led to increase plastic waste.

• The durability and low maintenance reduce material replacement.

• Due to their light weight.

• Flexible

• Moisture Resistant

• Strong

• Low cost

• Single use plastic

• Not available competitive products against plastics.

• Flexible law

Impact of Plastics :

• Its greatest liabilities when it comes to the disposal of plastics.

• The toxic chemicals from plastic drain out and seep into groundwater, flowing downstream into lakes and rivers (Water Pollution).

• The seeping of plastic also causes soil pollution and have now started resulting in presence of micro plastics in soil (Soil Pollution).

• The increased presence of plastic on the ocean surface has resulted in more serious problems. It leads to the dropping of oxygen level in the water, severely affecting the survival marine species (Marine Pollution).

• As plastics travel with ocean currents, an island of trash called the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" has been created. There are now many islands of trash in our sea.

• It's responsible for killing one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals every year.

• Plastics cause the following severe health problems for human life - cancer, endometriosis, neurological damage, endocrine disruption, birth defects and child developmental disorders, reproductive damage, immune damage, asthma, and multiple organ damage.

Plastic Waste Huge Thread to Marine Ecology :

• There are 8 million tonnes of plastic waste entering the ocean every year

• The total plastic in the ocean amounts to 150 million tonnes

• Plastic packaging account for 62% of all items recovered in coastal cleanup efforts

• In 2014, there was 1 kg of plastic in the ocean for every 5kg of fish, and by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish.

Plastic Waste Generation in India :

According to the reports for the year 2017-18, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has estimated that India generates approximately 9.4 Million tonnes per annum plastic waste, (Which amounts to 26,000 tonnes of waste per day), and out of this approximately 5.6 Million tonnes per annum plastic waste is recycled (i.e. 15,600 tonnes of waste per day) and 3.8 Million tonnes per annum plastic waste is left uncollected or littered (9,400 tonnes of waste per day).

India recycled 38% higher than the global average of 20%. (Around 60% of India's plastic waste is recycled)

Top 5 Plastic Waste Producing States of India :

1. Maharashtra

2. Gujarat

3. Tamil Nadu

4. Uttar Pradesh

5. Karnataka

Types of Plastic Waste :

Plastic are generally categorised into two types :

1.Thermoplastics  : Thermoplastics or Thermo-softening plastics are the plastics which soften on heating and can be molded into desired shape such as PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC, PS etc.

2. Thermosets : Thermoset or thermosetting plastics strengthen on heating, but cannot be remolded or recycled such as Sheet Molding Compounds (SMC), Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP), Bakelite etc. are the examples of the same.

Types of plastic (based on Size) :

• Macro-Plastic : 25mm or more

• Meso-Plastic : 5mm to 25mm

• Micro-Plastic : 1 micron (0.001mm) to 5mm

Plastic Waste Management :

Swachhata Hi Sewa 2019 : 

• The Government of India started awareness programmes are being organised at campsite/local community centres, publicity through FM Radio, cleaning of National Highways and collection of plastic waste/polythene bags/plastic bottles, cleaning up toll plazas, and organising Swachhata Workshops for truck drivers and toll employees.

• The Government also discouraging the use of plastic water bottles, installing dustbins for collection of segregated waste, and is distributing cloth/jute bags.

• A stretch of road has been constructed using waste plastic on road construction.

Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016 :

• These rules shall apply to every Waste Generator, Local Body, Gram Panchayat, Manufacturer, Importer, Producer and Brand Owner.

• The carry bags shall not be less than 50 microns in thickness. It is not applicable to carry bags made up of Compostable plastic.

• Plastic Waste Generator shall pay fee as prescribed by authority and spot fine in case of violation.

• Local Bodies shall encourage use of plastic waste for road construction or energy recovery or waste to oil or co-processing in cement kilns etc.

• Gram Panchayat either on its own or by engaging an agency shall set up, operationalize coordinate for waste management in the rural area under their control and for performing the associated functions, namely, ensuring segregation, collection, storage, transportation, plastic waste and channelisation of recyclable plastic waste fraction to recyclers having valid registration; ensuring that no damage is caused to the environment during this process; creating awareness among all stakeholders about their responsibilities; and ensuring that open burning of plastic waste does not take place.

• Producer, Importer and Brand Owners need to work out modalities for waste collection system for collecting back the plastic waste within a period of 6 months in consultation with local authority/State Urban Development Department and implement with two year thereafter.

• State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)/ Pollution Control Committee (PCC) shall be authority for enforcement of the provisions of PWM Rules, 2016, relating to registration, manufacture of plastic products and multi-layered packaging, processing and disposal of plastic wastes.

• Districts Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner shall provide the assistance to SPCBs/PCCs, Secretary-in-Charge, Urban Development Department and Gram Panchayat under his jurisdiction, whenever required for enforcement of provisions of PWM Rules, 2016.

4-R Formula : Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recovery

Reduce : 

Lowering the amount of waste produced. The steps to reduce plastic waste may be-

• Discourage the use of disposal plastics.

• Minimize buying plastic water bottles.

• Minimize use of plastics cutlery.

• Purchase item secondhand.

• Encouraging tax on plastic bags or ban.

• Public-private initiatives to REDUCE single use plastic bags and styrofoam products.

Reuse :

• Reuse is a step up from recycling. It is the middle-man between reduce and recycle.

• One can reuse plastic produced bags for sandwiches, plastic grocery bags for small trash bags, and re-use plastic silverware.

• Refillable plastic containers can be reused for many times.

Recycle :

• Recycling and re-utilization of waste plastics have several advantages.

• It lead to reduction of the use of virgin materials and the use of energy, thus also a reduction of a carbon dioxide emissions.

Benefits of Recycle -

+ Reduce Environment Pollution

+ Economic Benefits

+ Reduce demand for virgin polymer

+ Preferred to Land Filling

+ Generate Employment

+ Reduce depletion of Fossil fuel reserves.

Recovery :

• Another alternative is recovering the energy stored in residual material.

• The plastic waste into fuel for manufacturing processes or equipment designed to produce energy.

Best way to Use of Plastic Waste :

• Use in construction and road making.

• in Medical : tissues and organ transplants.

• Lightweight : use in the modern aircrafts will reduce fuel uses in transportation.

• Smart Plastic packaging will able to monitor and indicate the quality of perishable goods.

• Components for generations of renewable energy and insulation will help reduce carbon emissions.

Way Forward :

• Eliminate or reduce most problematic single-use plastics.

• Consider the best actions to tackle the problem without compromising country's socio-economic fabric.

• Raise public awareness about the harm caused by plastics.

• Before the ban or levy comes into force, the availability of alternative need to be assessed.

• Provide incentives to industry by introducing tax rebates or other conditions to support its transition.

• Enforce the measure chosen effectively, by making sure that there is clear allocation of roles and responsibilities.

• Behavioural change are required and government need to work on it.

• Waste seperatios can be achieved in partnership with the community, and present a major employment opportunity.

Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of an India which was not only free but also clean and developed. I am confident that every step I take towards cleanliness will help in making my country clean.

References

MH&UA

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