Published on: July 16, 2021

MARINE PLASTIC

MARINE PLASTIC

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