Dimapur, May 18 (EMN): About 5 to 14 million tons of plastic waste enters into the ocean every year and an average annual global release of primary micro-plastics into the ocean is estimated to be around 1.5 million tons, said the executive director of Sustainable Development Forum Nagaland, Amba Jamir.
As consumers one can make a conscious decision to refuse the use of ‘one use items’ such as, plastics catteries, Styrofoam products and polythene bags, he said, adding that micro-plastic is the most widespread and persistent hazards of plastics.
Jamir was addressing as a resource person at the workshop on ‘Waste management and zero waste” held at Fernwood School, in Kohima on May 15. The organisers updated about the event on Friday.
The resource person exhorted the participants on the importance to adopt the concept of zero waste —three ‘Rs’—Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle and the ‘Rs’ must ultimately lead to the fourth ‘R’ i.e. ‘Refuse’.
Jamir said micro-plastic is considered as global pollutants. It effects not only the environment,s socio economic but human health as well. Therefore, he urged conscious effort to generate less waste and manage waste by not only reusing or reducing but refusing it. He also advised segregating waste and disposing systemically.
“One use plastic like a single shampoo sachet has longer lifespan than the user. A single one rupee sweet given to a young child, that sweet wrapper will remain on earth longer than the entire lifespan of that child,” he expounded.
He further informed the participants about ‘The Himalayan Clean-Up’ campaign and how one can partake. The Himalayan Clean-Up will be an advent event to World Environment Day 5th June.
The workshop was organised by Fernwood School in collaboration with Sustainable Development Forum Nagaland. The programme was attended by Stella Hr. Sec. School, Mezhur Hr. Sec. School, Ministers Hill Hr. Sec. School, Mount Sinai Hr. Sec. School, Dainty Buds along with teachers and students of Fernwood Schools.
