Plastic waste is a global problem.

The main reason why plastic has become such a big problem is
because it is one of the many non- biodegradable things on Earth. Non- Biodegradable substances are
those that do not decay or decompose, and remain in their primitive stage for more than millions of
years, or maybe even forever.

Plastic Pollution is affecting the whole earth, including mankind, wildlife, and aquatic life. Its is estimated
that every year about 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste is accumulated globally, out of which 79% of
plastic and ends up in landfills and natural environment. Plastic pollutes our water. Tons of plastic is
dumped into the ocean. As plastic does not dissolve, it remains in the water thereby hampering its
purity. According to a study, plastic pollution affects at least 700 marine species. Furthermore, plastic
pollutes our land as well. When humans dump plastic waste into landfills, the soil gets damaged. It ruins
the fertility of the soil. And, also causes erosion of soil.

Therefore, It’s the need of the hour that we become aware of its harmful consequences so that we can
stop plastic pollution. Kids should be taught from their childhood to avoid using plastic. Similarly, adults
must check each other on the same. Along with individual effort, share of Government guidelines and
laws will speed up the progress towards better environment.

Our country generates approximately 25,000 to 30,000 tones of plastic waste every day out of which
around 10,556 tones of plastic waste per day remains uncollected and by default littered in the
environment. In 2018, during the 45 th World Environment Day celebrations, India took the pledge to
eliminate all single-use plastics – carry bags, straws, and water bottles among others from the country
by 2022. Then in 2019, during Independence Day speech, PM Narendra Modi initiated a ‘Plastic-Free’
campaign and also announced that from October 2, 2019, a blanket ban on single-use plastic items will
take place.

This year on 8th June, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar launched ‘Plastic Hackathon 2021’
campaign. The campaign deliberate on plastic waste management, its collection and what new products
can be made out of it. Suitable alternative to SUP is also being massively discussed by scientific and
educational institutions. Kick-starting the two-month long awareness campaign on single-use plastics
(SUPs), the government notified plastic waste management rules under which plastic below 40 microns
thickness cannot be used. In this direction, Government has already banned the import of plastic waste
and some states have already stopped using single use plastic.

Tamil Nadu is a pioneer in the field of banning single-use plastic altogether. Himachal Pradesh was the
first Indian state to ban single use plastic followed by Sikkim.

The state of Sikkim is a pioneer in waste management. It has the lowest plastic footprint in India. They
are working on it from 1998, Sikkim is also top state in organic produce.

Swati Singh Sambyal, Programme Manager, Environmental Governance (Municipal Solid Waste), Centre
for Science and Environment, said, First and foremost, the government needs to identify the most
problematic Single-Use plastic items and then come up with a solution to manage those. Secondly, a
National Action Plan or guideline needs to be made for the implementation of a plastic ban in a phase-
wise manner.

Government has cleared its intention towards serious eradication of the problem. For people to
internalize it, NGOs, and corporates though mass drives, must educate the public effectively. Only if it
becomes a peoples’ movement and most importantly, if plastic can be banned at source, will we
succeed in stopping plastic pollution.

The story of Nilgris will serve as an important example. Supriya Sahu, collector of the Nilgiris, in Ooty,
South India’s most famous hill resort, who burst into the district in 2000, epitomised. The country
remembers her for waving the ‘No plastics’ banner and beginning the movement for a plastic-free
Nilgiris. She did this at the turn of the millennium, long before ‘plastic-free’ became fashionable. She
constituted a Green Brigade – a group of volunteers checking on people littering the streets. There were
fines for people using plastic bags. Thus, the laws and fines by government and strict follow by people
will help solve the issue.

Today, Guwahati, Ranchi, Lucknow, Bhopal race ahead of big cities in adopting eco-friendly lifestyle.
More than half of the Indian airports are now single-use plastic-free. There are some simple steps which
can help us to overcome plastic by sustainable ways. All polythene and plastic bags must be replaced
completely by either paper bags or cloth bags for other heavy items. Cloth bags are probably the best
alternative because they can be reused. Glass is made of fine grains of sand, and can be easily
weathered away when it is disposed of. It can also be recycled in multiple ways. They are also a great
alternative because they keep the food and water completely fresh, and prevent spoilage. There is also a
new product called liquid wood. This is a by-product of creating paper, in the paper mills industry. These
look, feel and act just like plastic, but that is deceiving. They are actually completely biodegradable,
unlike the petroleum based plastic items. Toys, golf tees and even some expensive speaker boxes have
already been created and sold in markets from this liquid wood.

Plastic has become one of the most used substances. But with serious effort of government and
cooperation of people, the change is sure to come. It is the responsibility of citizens of India, so as to
take proper care of our environment. We must change our ways and treat our mother nature with equal
amount of love as it showers on us.