Navigating the Plastic Waste Crisis: Solutions and Strategies

Introduction

Plastic being a nonbiodegradable substance is a very harmful substance when not disposed of properly. With development, the need for plastic arose, and problems to a plastic waste crisis. So the handling of plastic waste should be sustainable.

Techniques used in the management of plastic wastes

Most people use recycling, burning, and burying major solutions to the menace of plastic; each with its advantages and disadvantages.

1. The use of recovered plastics from recycling entails the potential for other product production. However, recent years have seen some very progressive activities in the reuse of packing material in several countries.

2. Incineration

Another standard method for plastic waste management is by burning the waste or disposal by incineration and Recycling technologies.

3. Landfill

The term “landfill” therefore comprises all the places and areas where we dump all the disposable plastic wastes once we are done with using them and then are buried under the surface of the earth. The rationale for the landfill form is to ensure that an environment free from plastic dumping is created by creating a safer area to contain such materials. To achieve the aforementioned objectives: There is a lot of work toward the side of the community for instance digging a deep hole or dumping in it, filling it with waste, and leaving it to decompose.

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Tips to reduce plastic waste. 

• Try to avoid or at least minimize your use of plastic. 

Some of the effective prevention methods include; The use of less plastic. This implies sourcing for products that are recyclable for instance, paper or glass products while at the same time eliminating products that use plastics for packaging.

• Recycle plastic whenever possible.

Plastic recycling makes a huge impact on the environment because it will minimize plastic waste getting to landfill sites and the oceans.

• Dispose of plastic properly.

This means disposing of it in the recycle bin or going further to take it to a hazardous waste disposal center.

• Promote and buy from companies that are trying to eliminate the use of plastics.
• Engage in your community activities to participate in a beach cleanup, launch a composting project in your neighborhood, or establish your recycling company.
  

Laws and their enforcement on plastic waste management in India

1. Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016

• Responsibility: The government and manufacturers, importers, and brand owners must take some responsibility for the disposing of the products through appropriate channels.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): It is the task of producers to gather and recycle utilized plastics.
• Plastic Carry Bags: The only allowable type of bag is the plastic one and for these, only those that are more than 50 microns thick.
• Waste Segregation: Local bodies must also provide source segregation of wastes and must set up waste treatment plants.
• Ban on Certain Products: Some of the items that are restricted include plastic carry bags with a thickness of less than 50 microns.

2. Amendment to Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2018

• Multilayered Plastics: Changes were made to the rules to gradually eliminate non-recyclable or non-energy recoverable multilayered plastics.
• E-commerce Entities: The legal obligations of EPR were broadened to also cover e-commerce firms.

3. Single-Use Plastics Ban, 2021

Awareness and Alternatives: The measures are accompanied by attempts to increase the public’s knowledge of single-use plastics and provide the population with eco-friendly substitutes.

Implementation and Enforcement

• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): The CPCB mainly focuses on controlling and implementing the standards and instructions concerning plastic waste.
• State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs): SPCBs are at the local level with the task of monitoring and implementing compliance with the rules.

Other Relevant Initiatives

• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: A drive regarding Sweep India – Clean India which relates to the removal of plastic wastes from the streets, roads, infrastructure, and other areas of cities and rural India.
• National Green Tribunal (NGT): NGT also provides orders and directions for enhancing the standards of the management of plastic waste throughout the country.

Recent Innovation Trends for the Treatment of Plastic Waste

The future is bright for the appropriate disposal of plastic waste since they are in almost all aspects of human life. Here are a few of the developments in new technologies and fresh initiatives that will assist us in cutting down, reusing, and biodegradable plastics, plastic recycling technologies, ocean plastic cleanup technologies, microplastics detection & monitoring, and plastic waste-to-energy (WTE) conversion. These include:

• Biodegradable plastics. Biopolymers plastics are plastics that are recyclable naturally with the help of bacteria and other microorganisms. This essentially makes them a better option in comparison to conventional plastic.