As societies become increasingly industrialised, plastic
pollution has emerged as a significant environmental issue. It has wide-ranging
implications for humans, wildlife, and the environment. The millions of tons of
plastic swirling around the world’s ocean have garnered a lot of media
attention recently. But plastic pollution arguably posses a bigger threat to
the plants and animals – including humans. Very little of the plastic, we
discard everyday is recycled or incinerated in waste-to-energy facilities. Much
of it ends up in landfills, where it may take up to 1000 years to degrade,
leaching potentially toxic substance into soil and water.
Each year, World Environment Day brings the spotlight onto
an urgent issue. This year 2025, that issue is a #Beat Plastic Pollution.
Environment day isn’t just for thoughts; it’s springboard for deeds. Plastic
pollution exacerbates the deadly impacts of the triple planetary crisis: the
crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and
the crisis of pollution and waste.
We’ve all come across plastic waste in some form or other.
You can find it in your homes, in your streets, and in your nearby streams/nullah.
Plastic pollution has become a global issue that needs to be addressed
urgently.
In our state, despite been total ban on Single-Use Plastic
(SUP) in the year 2023, while there have still been inroads in terms of total
ban on SUP or in attempting to reduce plastic usage and changing the way
plastic is dealt with once it is discarded, plastic usage continues to increase
in our state too. This means the plastic problem poses a significant threat to
the environment, and yet more needs to be done. One of the big problems relates
to improper disposal of plastic. Much of the plastic waste comes from the SUP
types which are not always recycled. As a result, these plastics accumulate in
the environment and ultimate cause plastic pollution. In addition to the
plastic waste problem, there is also the problem of microplastics.
Microplastics come from the breakdown of larger plastic materials such as
bottles and bags and can accumulate in the environment, and its particles have
been found in human blood, the long-term affects of this are still to be
understood fully.
The plastic waste problem has been around for many years,
but it is only recently that people have started recognising it as a major
environmental issue that needs to be addressed. It is a global issue and
requires global action, including steps to reduce the amount of plastic waste
in the environment, as it can have a devastating effect on the environment and
long term human health.
To combat plastic pollution, a multifaceted approached is
needed, encompassing individual actions, policy changes, and technological
advancement. This includes reducing SUP, promoting recycling and reuse,
supporting sustainable alternatives, and developing innovative clean up
technologies. By implementing these measures collectively, individuals,
communities, and governments can make a significant impact on reducing plastic
pollution and creating a more sustainable future.
