Now-a-days almost everything comes wrapped in or made of plastic. We understand that plastic is convenient and indispensable and used in large scale in the process of packaging and cost low. But it is non degradable and produces toxic gas when burnt which is a major cause for concern.
Plastic waste management is a global issue and in the age of global marketing, we are supplied with various essential items packed in plastic, which means tons of plastic waste generate every year.
In cities there is a disposal system even if it is not completely effective. But in villages, plastic menace is getting worse by the day.
The main problem is, in our villages, there is no proper plastic waste disposal system. Some people just throw the waste and some burn it, which are both unwise as it pollutes the air.
In our villages some people come occasionally to collect plastic waste and used up products for recycling purposes, but they don’t collect everything like water bottles, medicine bottles, sachet, biscuit and chips packets etc, because they say those are not recyclable.
We on the other hand don’t know what to do with all the plastic waste. There is no proper information about plastic waste, most of which people burn to clean their surroundings, but that only pollutes the air with toxic fumes.
Slowly plastic waste piling up everywhere has led to soil losing fertility.
Agricultural production is decreasing every day and because of this rural economy is affected. Even village ponds have become a dumping ground for plastic waste because of which many local fish species are on the verge of extinction.
If this kind of situation continues, a time will come when the land will wear a cover of plastic and everything will be infertile.
Government, NGO’s and other concerned bodies should take steps to educate people about waste management and proper plastic waste disposal system before it’s too late.
