Plastic recycling is the process of recovering scrap or waste plastic and reprocessing the material into useful products, sometimes completely different in form from their original state. For instance, this could mean melting down soft drink bottles and then casting them as plastic chairs and tables.
On one hand, plastic recycling is much more needed in today's world where 70% of plastic is dumped and not getting recycled. The non-biodegradable plastic waste has become a headache to the environment as it got mixed with other waste and prevent or slow down their rate of degradation. This, in turn, makes the whole waste management a very tedious and lengthy process to deal with which leaves the authority the last option to dump all these plastic contaminated waste into the landfills.
On one hand, plastic recycling is much more needed in today's world where 70% of plastic is dumped and not getting recycled. The non-biodegradable plastic waste has become a headache to the environment as it got mixed with other waste and prevent or slow down their rate of degradation. This, in turn, makes the whole waste management a very tedious and lengthy process to deal with which leaves the authority the last option to dump all these plastic contaminated waste into the landfills.
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| Plastic bottle waste. Pic: PEXELS |
New technologies are being invented to fight the plastic pollution. Government and the waste management industry is implementing these technologies to fight the plastic waste. But, the problem has its root so deep in our lives that even the world-class state-of-the-art technologies are not able to resolve the issue. It is because the problem is created by us, humans.
To understand the problem of plastic waste, first, we need to understand the origin of these waste. Being cheap, reliable and non-biodegradable, plastic has its application ranging from food containers to bio-medical equipment and aeroplane parts. Out of which, the most common use of plastic is in the packaging industry. From the wrapping of boxes to the single unit fruit packing, plastic is extensively used in food packaging and general packaging.
To understand the problem of plastic waste, first, we need to understand the origin of these waste. Being cheap, reliable and non-biodegradable, plastic has its application ranging from food containers to bio-medical equipment and aeroplane parts. Out of which, the most common use of plastic is in the packaging industry. From the wrapping of boxes to the single unit fruit packing, plastic is extensively used in food packaging and general packaging.
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| Sorting of single colour bottle cap. Pic: PEXELS |
Let's talk about the challenges first!
Segregation is the main problem waste management is facing right now. Even it is clearly mentioned in the PWM Rules, 2016 that it is waste generator's responsibility to segregate the waste before disposing of it. It is very unlikely to change the mindset of people to make them do segregation at their home before they throw it in the dustbin.
The waste management here really needs a revamp. The systems of the municipalities are not efficient for the amount of waste being generated daily. Rules are there to help the management by the court but without their actual implementation, they are now merely on the papers. Some places have adapted them and got really good results.
There is lack of technology and money which can solve the problem of land-filling. There is the need for new technologies to recover materials from waste and to ensure that 100% of the waste gets recycled. Efficient recycling and modern ways of waste management can make this happen.
All these problems have to lead to pretty bad waste management in the country but this also means the people who want to work in this sector can have good opportunities. New startups like The Banyan Nation, Waste Venture, SEWA are getting the attention for their unique efforts to make the waste management more efficient and environment-friendly.
Plastic waste recycling has huge opportunities in India, over 70% of PET bottles already getting recycled. This is mainly done by disorganised sector where the people are exploited and are made to work in the piles of waste picking the plastic waste out of it. An organised community with better resources can make this up to 95%.
Segregation is the main problem waste management is facing right now. Even it is clearly mentioned in the PWM Rules, 2016 that it is waste generator's responsibility to segregate the waste before disposing of it. It is very unlikely to change the mindset of people to make them do segregation at their home before they throw it in the dustbin.
The waste management here really needs a revamp. The systems of the municipalities are not efficient for the amount of waste being generated daily. Rules are there to help the management by the court but without their actual implementation, they are now merely on the papers. Some places have adapted them and got really good results.
There is lack of technology and money which can solve the problem of land-filling. There is the need for new technologies to recover materials from waste and to ensure that 100% of the waste gets recycled. Efficient recycling and modern ways of waste management can make this happen.
All these problems have to lead to pretty bad waste management in the country but this also means the people who want to work in this sector can have good opportunities. New startups like The Banyan Nation, Waste Venture, SEWA are getting the attention for their unique efforts to make the waste management more efficient and environment-friendly.
Plastic waste recycling has huge opportunities in India, over 70% of PET bottles already getting recycled. This is mainly done by disorganised sector where the people are exploited and are made to work in the piles of waste picking the plastic waste out of it. An organised community with better resources can make this up to 95%.
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| Clean street Pic: PEXELS |
Segregation at the source can be implemented by teaching people the benefits of the same and by giving monetary incentives as well as by motivating them. Segregation at the source can solve so many problems and we can actually achieve the goal of being zero waste country.
Government is also working hard on the #CleanIndiaMission and creating awareness among the youth about the importance of cleanliness. Taking one step further, segregation should also be taught and should be implemented rather than being just on the paper.
Around the world, single used plastics are getting banned and it is a good step on the way to the plastic-free globe. Although it will be little hard for people to adapt to the single-use plastics which comes very handy it would worth for the sack of environment.
What do you think of this whole plastic recycling and this year's environment day theme #BeatPlasticPollution? Let us know in the comments below!
Government is also working hard on the #CleanIndiaMission and creating awareness among the youth about the importance of cleanliness. Taking one step further, segregation should also be taught and should be implemented rather than being just on the paper.
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| Chai in Glass cup instead of plastic cup. Pic: PEXELS |
What do you think of this whole plastic recycling and this year's environment day theme #BeatPlasticPollution? Let us know in the comments below!
Great post!
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waste management company In India | The Shakti Plastic Industries
waste management company In India | The Shakti Plastic Industries
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