What is in news : According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Annual Report on Implementing the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, the plastic waste generated in 2018-19 was 3.3 million tonnes per year

Details:

• What is plastic –
  • Material that contains as an essential ingredient an organic substance of large molecular weight
  • Polymers of long carbon chains. Carbon atoms are linked in chains and are produced in long chain molecules
  • Discovered by famous German chemist Christian Schonbein in 1846.
• Marine Plastic-Sources: Land-based, from urban and storm runoff, sewer overflows, beach visitors, inadequate waste disposal and management, industrial activities, construction and illegal dumping
• What is Microplastic : Under the influence of solar UV radiation, wind, currents and other natural factors, plastic fragments into small particles, termed microplastics (particles smaller than 5 mm) or nanoplastics (particles smaller than 100 nm).
• Impacts :
  • Blocks sewers, threatening marine life and generating health risks for residents in landfills
  • High financial costs to tackle
  • Residents of coastal regions suffer from the harmful health impacts of plastic pollution and waste brought in by the tides
  • Abandoned plastic fishing nets and longlines – known as ghost gear – is also a large source, making up about 10% of plastic waste at sea.
• Solutions
  • Alternatives to single-use plastics- Recyclable, or biodegradable materials
  • Developing tools and technology to assist governments and organizations in measuring and monitoring plastic garbage in cities. Example : ‘Closing the loop’ project of the UN
  • Plastic-free workplace
  • Responsibility can be applied in the Retail (packaging) sector
  • Municipal and community actions & Multi-stakeholder collaboration