My attention has been drawn to the article: Over-packaging? by Prabha Prabhakar Bhardwaj ((p.10, FG 5-11 Sept. 2014 issue). The author has talked of environmental concerns, and targeted plastics as part of the over-packaging issue. She has mentioned the high volume of non-biodegradable waste (plastics), but overlooked the fact that waste plastics are recyclable as per IS: 14534-1998. Today a consumer wants convenience in handling and consuming goods, and many of these are packaged in plastics because of health and hygiene reasons - and paper cannot be a substitute. Examples are: processed food, milk, water and healthcare applications. Plastics are also lighter in weight than glass. Since municipal tap water is today found unfit for drinking, consumers resort to packaged drinking water (and soft drinks) in PET bottles. The waste/used PET bottles are collected by the rag-pickers/waste collectors (informal sector), and traded with recyclers at Rs. 10-12 per kg. Similarly, an RO (water) system is housed in a plastic body, because it is environmentally friendly and recyclable. Regarding the ‘fluttering’ (banned) plastic bags, the responsibility lies with the users; if they do not litter, but deposit used bags in nearby garbage bins, the bags will get collected/picked by the rag pickers, for trading with recyclers. Plastic bags are not a menace; the problem is the consumers who insensitively litter these plastic bags. So, do use plastics bags wherever/whenever necessary (e,g. if you are buying vegetables, or milk in big polypacks, you certainly need a plastic bag to carry these; but if you are buy bread, which is anyway appropriately packaged in easy-to-carry plastic, you do not need an extra plastic bag). My advice to any ‘environment activist’ is to please desist from defaming plastic materials/products, or dubbing them a menace. In fact these items are today essential in our daily lives. Use them judiciously and, after their service life is over, dispose them in nearby bins.
Read More...