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PLASTICS as a whole are being looked
down upon as environment unfriendly. But this
is not true. The problem with plastic is its waste
disposal management. The Ministry of Environment
& Forests, Government of India has in consultation
with members of the Plastic Industry - more particularly
the Enviroplast Committee of the Plastindia Foundation,
Mumbai, after detailed study, worked out a way
to minimise the effects of nuisance of plastic
waste, particularly Jabla Bags. The Plastic industry
has agreed to honour the national guidelines on
Waste Management.
The principal materials used for packaging are
glass, paperboard, metals and plastics. Modern
packaging makes a major contribution towards reduction
in spoilage and wastage of resources.
Plastics packaging represents a highly efficient
use of resources. As the German Society for research
into markets for packaging, powerfully demonstrated,
if plastics were not used by the packaging industry
then the weight of packaging would increased by
300%, the volume of rubbish by 150% end the energy
consumed by the packaging industry 100%. Recent
developments in Plastics Technology have led to
stronger materials so that less material is needed
for particular applications. Plastics packaging
achieves maximum mileage from minimum resources
and is therefore an excellent means of conserving
natural resources.
Plastics are a highly energy - efficient form
of packaging. Most plastics are derived from crude
oil. When plastic raw materials for packaging
are manufactured, they consume less than 2% of
our crude oil. The biggest contribution towards
global warming comes from burning of fossil fuels,
which consumes more than 70% of the crude oil.
All plastics can be recycled.
More than 90% of manufacturing off cuts and out-of-dimension
products are reprocessed into primary products.
Fortunately, in our country Plastic Re-cycling
is absolutely economy driven, and does not need
any subsidy.Unlike paper, textile, wood, etc.
65% of the plastics waste is recycled in our country,which
is much higher in comparison to, advanced countries
even like Germany.It not only enables poor people
to buy items made of recycled plastic at affordable
prices, but also provides employment to millions
of people in our country.
Litter is not caused by packaging, but by the
people. Only a constant awareness program
or education to dispose of waste with responsibility
will reduce the problem. Like any other packaging
materials some plastics would unfortunately end
up as litter. The plastics industry shares the
public's concern over litter and is a committed
supporter of the work of the various municipal
corporations and NG0s. Provision of adequate refuse
facilities, well organized waste collection and
industrial sponsorship of public education programs
call have a part to play in creating a cleaner
environment. Changes in packaging material, however,
will not prevent litter.
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Think again before you
say plastics is environmental unfriendly! |
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