Is Plastic Really As Bad As People Say?

Maybe a plastic bag or a bottle comes, a bunch of environmentalists might say pollution, which stands sturdy at its own place.

Yes, we do relate pollution most to plastic as now gradually we have realized that the world is under constant deprivation. All we know is that plastic causes pollution, chokes up oceans, has hazardous effects on wildlife and a lot more negatives.

But is plastic really bad as people say?

The plastics industry manufactures polymer material and offers services in plastics important to a range of industries, including packaging, building and construction, electronics, aerospace, and transportation. It is part of the chemical industry.

The plastic industry covers a plethora of industries under it. It is one of the highest employing sectors in India and makes the highest money overall due to the constant demand in smallest of things.

Where does the plastic production actually stand?

It employs around 4 million people and has more than 30,000 manufacturing units in India alone. India exported plastics worth US$ 838 million in August 2020, and the export during April–August 2020 was US$ 3.91 billion. The total plastic and linoleum export during April–August 2020 was US$ 3.15 billion and for the month of August 2020, it was US$ 648.07 million. 

Plastic industry is obviously a growing industry as smallest of a manufacturing thing needs plastic. Our daily lives are revolving around plastic, either it’s a bottle of water or a comb.

Heavy restrictions on the industry would change the interface of the whole industry that is why no steps have been taken as directly it leads to economic development in India.

What’s the bad we know about plastic?

Plastic has definitely been the largest contributor to pollution and is not far away from turning the world upside down. Over the last few decades, humans have dumped tons of plastic garbage into the ocean. If this process continues for years to come, the consequences will severely deteriorate the food chain.

The plastic accumulated in the water bodies affect the living creatures and harm them. It also causes indirect harm to the health of seafood eaters and impacts the overall environment. 

The chemicals used in the production of plastic are toxic and detrimental to the human body. Chemicals in plastic-like lead, cadmium and mercury directly can come in contact with the humans.

These toxins can cause cancers, congenital disabilities, immune system problems and childhood development issues. Not only India, but the world is getting affected daily due to constant threats of plastic pollution.

Increased efforts of international organizations have not proven very effective to bring any change as the bulk of accumulated plastic is unthinkable.

Ways to reduce plastic waste and become environment friendly:

1. Say no to plastic bags and yes to paper bags or cloth bags, such small change in your daily life will bring a very big change within no time.

2. Stop buying plastic bottles. Oceans are majorly contaminated due to plastic bottles, so try avoiding it from today.

3. Recycle plastic waste in whatever way you can, this will ensure something better for yourself and nature friendly too.

4. Avoid buying bulk packaging materials which use a lot of plastic, rather try buying solid material with minimal packaging. 

5. Try to upcycle glass containers for food storage at home.

6. Try to make the best out of waste plastic, putting in one’s creativity and imagination might make you start a business on your own for this in order for sale of reused plastic items.

Statistical data taken from source: www.ibef.org/exports/plastic-industry-india.aspx

Arham Shah