The invention of plastic is one of the greatest findings of mankind. It has made our lives so easy. Almost all our necessities are surrounded by plastic. Now it is impossible to imagine a single day without plastic. But other than these qualities it has some disastrous nature.
Effects of Plastic on Nature :
Plastic is a non-biodegradable material. It remains in nature for years without any change. Usually plastic takes 500-600 years to degrade itself. Plastic pollution is now worldwide issue. India alone generates 33.1 million pounds of plastic waste everyday. But 19.8 million pounds of them can be recycled. The extra plastic waste remains in the environment and pollutes our surroundings.
After use we through plastics in nature and they move here and there. Most of the plastics block the drainage system and cause flood in monsoon. Plastic demises the quality of soil and decreases its fertility. Sometimes domestic animals eat plastic unknowingly. Most of the plastic waste goes to the rivers and causes harm to the aquatic animals. If the plastics are burned to decompose them, then it causes air pollution. So ultimately plastic harms the environment through different ways.
Single-use Plastic Ban :
PM Narendra Modi imposed a national ban on single-use plastics in October, 2019. But government was unsuccessful to implement the ban following strong opposition from the plastics industry and FICCI. Later the government announced it as an awareness creating campaign. India is now working on a national policy to impose a complete ban on single-use plastics by 15th August, 2022 when the country will be celebrating 75th Independent day.
A draft notification was issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on 13th March 2021 for a three-phased ban on the manufacture, use, sale, import and handing of single-use plastic items. The first phase of the ban will take effect on 30th September, 2021 and the second phase will take effect on 1st January, 2022 and the final phase will be completed by 1st July, 2022.
Effect on Industries :
The government has so many challenges to implement the ban properly. The industries related to plastic will be badly affected. The emplyees of plastic manufacturing sector will be jobless. So alternative sector must be created to fill the loophole. As plastic is a cost effective material, the ban will increase the prices of many products.
Awareness Among Citizens :
Everyone knows very well how harmful plastic is for our society. But the people have no other option but to use plastic items. Yet the government should aware people how they can minimise the use of plastic. Instead of plastic bags people should be encouraged to use paper bags or cotton bags. After use we should not throw plastics anywhere.
Recycle :
Until plastics are not totally banned, we have only one option, that is recycle. Plastic wastes must be recycled. Collection of plastic waste will play a vital role in this process as most of the plastic wastes are not collected. Waste collecting dustbins must be installed everywhere in the city.
Without plastic life will be difficult but without plastic life will not be impossible . For the well-being of our environment we have to sacrifice our comforts and pleasures.
0 Comments