Avoid plastic use, save the environment: Greens

Hyderabad: On the occasion of World Earth Day 2024 on Monday, environmentalists stressed the need to completely avoid the use of plastic, but this is not happening.

This year’s theme is ‘Planet vs Plastics’, with the main aim of highlighting the serious problem of plastic pollution and how it is harming nature. Many volunteer organizations organized mass cleaning drives at various water bodies including Neknampur Lake, Mushki Cheruvu and Barla Kunta on Sunday.

Environmentalists pointed out that despite many awareness campaigns by the Telangana government and voluntary organizations on reducing plastic use, they are failing to curb the use of single-use plastic carry bags (SUP) as shopkeepers and street vendors continue to sell their groceries packing up. products in it.

According to the data released by GHMC last year, on an average, around 8,000 tonnes of waste is generated in the city every day, of which 1,080 tonnes or 14.5 percent is plastic waste. Latest studies show that an estimated 5 trillion plastic waste is accumulating in the ocean floor worldwide, posing a major threat to aquatic life as plastic is carcinogenic.

Speaking about the ban on plastic production, K Purushotham Reddy, an environmentalist said, “A ban on single-use plastic is not a solution. There is a need to completely ban the plastic manufacturing units but that is not happening as the government is not taking any stringent action. Moreover, despite the awareness generated by various voluntary organizations, citizens still use plastic to dispose of waste and shopkeepers still use plastic carry bags to sell their items. As a result, all the plastic produced accumulates because it does not decompose. And it has become part of the waste in every city, especially in India. It will be better if the government and citizens focus on the livability index on the planet.”

Madhulika Choudhary, another environmentalist, said, “Despite several campaigns, the use of plastic is increasing day by day. As for industries and organizations that use alternatives to plastic or process plastic for road construction, etc., they are unable to obtain sufficient sources of plastic for recycling. But we see plastic everywhere along the road or near lakes. It’s a contradictory situation. The demand for plastic must be reduced and the supply of plastic must be stopped to minimize the production of plastic waste. It would be better if the government comes up with innovative initiatives such as bottles or cups made of earthen clay, which will reduce the demand for plastic bottles.”