In year 2022 the world produced 367 million metric tons of plastic waste, a number that is set to exponentially increase in the coming years. While reducing the generation of plastic waste in the first place is essential, efforts to manage and dispose of the existing waste is crucial to address the plastic crisis.Hence Reduce,reuse and recycle is the best practice to avoid plastic population. However in modern era it is also possible that we can stop using plastic and think of options.
According to the OECD Global Plastic Outlook, the world generated 353 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2019, a number which has more than doubled since 2000. Out of this, only 9% was rycled while almost 50% was landfilled, 19% incinerated, and 22% was discarded in uncontrolled sites or in the environment. Many parts of the world are not equipped to deal with the large amount of plastic waste they generate or import from aboard. According to the UNEP Global Waste Management Outlook, 3 billion people do not have access to controlled disposal services for solid waste, and 2 billion people still lack access to regular waste collection. Therefore, a large portion of plastic waste is either littered or inadequately disposed. Of all plastics produced since the 1950, nearly 80% ended up in the environment or in landfills. With no changes in the way we produce, consume and dispose of plastic, another 33 billion tonnes of plastic is expected to accumulate on the planet by 2050.
While avoiding the generation of plastic waste is overall preferable, environmentally sound management of plastic waste, once it is generated, is essential to protect human health and the environment. Without proper collection and disposal system, plastic contaminate the air, soil and water, thus causing harm to ecosystems and people.
Since the 1950s, an estimated 9% of all plastic produced by humanity has been recycled. While there has been an increased interest in and development of plastic recycling systems and facilities, still only 14% of plastic waste is currently being collected for recycling. As plastic disposal in landfill and burning has damaging consequences on human and environmental health, recycling is increasing seen as having huge potential to tackle the plastic crisis. However, plastic recycling presents many challenges due to the nature of the material itself. Meanwhile, relying on recycling alone is not sufficient to solve the plastic crisis and address the full impacts of plastics across the value chain.
Avoiding usage of plastic is also possible.We are getting used to the things quite easily.Drinking water bottles were not mandatory a decade ago.We use to carry our own water.Over the period of ten years we are using packaged drinking water regularly.Are we aware how much plastic wastage we generate? Soft drinks manufacturers are using plastic pet bottles for packaging. This industry used to depend a lot on glass bottles, these glass bottles where 100% reusable. For some period of time this industry also tried metal cans which was again an excellent option for the plastic. I am sure the cut throat competition would have pushed all the soft drink manufacturers to use plastic as it is vastly available and economical too. Large amount of plastic and thermocol is used for use and throw food utensils. This is not only creating the plastic garbage but it is hazardous to human health as well. In routine daily practices unknowingly we are creating plastic garbage which can be avoided by thinking of options.
Reduce reuse and recycle is a decent way to lower down the over use of plastics. I firmily believe that if every individual think of avoiding the use of plastic and start using glass water bottle or metal water bottle,Tiffins, bags made of clothes, jutes etc. can create a huge impact.
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