6 Tips to Minimize Polythene and Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is a life-threatening issue on Earth as it contaminates the land and water resources.

This has led to the ill health of humans, animals, and soil.

Since plastic cannot be degraded faster, it becomes difficult to eradicate it sooner.

Both plastic and polythene are made from some combination of hydrocarbon chemicals.

So they have similar properties like delayed decay, lightweight, durability, etc.

Unlike other waste, it has a more extended decay period, like 40 years or more.

Hence there is a large quantity of polythene accumulated inside the sea and river beds.

It is said to be causing great havoc to the life of marine organisms and animals on the earth.

Once consumed by animals, the polythene is not digested in the gut.

So even large animals like whales die due to plastic consumption.

Plastic also pollutes the valuable soil available for agriculture.

This happens due to heavy usage and careless dumping of plastic waste.

Some of examples include covers (polythene bags), teacups, water bottles, healthcare utilities like saline bottles, syringes, etc.

They are used in large numbers and disposed of immediately after use.

But where are they disposed of? Only from our homes and hospitals, but still, the waste stays on earth.

These disposables are regularly used, so finding an alternative seems to be the sole measure.

Also, the use of plastic is said to cause diseases.

So an alternative could be aluminum foil tins or containers, which can be recyclable.

Tips to Minimize Polythene Pollution

Avoidance of the use of plastic is the best way to minimize pollution.

But since we have made it inevitable, we need to follow other methods like

Steps to be taken from the public side

1. Carrying cloth bags or other carry bags instead while going out shopping. Avoid taking poly bags from stores.

This can minimize the risk of polythene pollution to a large extent.

2. Carry water cans or bottles

While going to the office or traveling. Don’t rely on mineral water bottles unless no other options exist.

Also, try to use the bottles again and again instead of disposing of them after use.

This way, we can minimize the waste of plastic bottles and cause pollution.

3. Also, avoid burning plastic bags

These poly bags and other plastic materials. This causes an emission of harmful gases, causing air pollution.

4. Try to reuse or recycle

Instead of throwing off polythene bags, it is better to recycle and reuse them. This minimizes the need for the use of more plastic covers.

Steps to be taken from the government side.

There are instances wherein the government deliberately allows for polythene pollution.

1. Restrict the production of plastic bags

Previously, paper, jute, and other fiber bags were used for shopping and carrying. Currently, plastic bags have replaced them.

This is because they are cheap, light, and durable. But cloth-related bags also serve the purpose.

The government can encourage these bags by providing subsidies and restricting polythene bag usage. Also, rules to avoid the production of thin plastic bags should be enforced.

2. Minimize the sale of plastic

Water bottles are sold in large numbers at trains and bus stops. This is a marketing tactic to make revenue.

But governments can encourage the supply of mineral water through plants so that passengers can avail the water into their own containers.

This will greatly minimize plastic pollution. Also, many liquid foods like tea, coffee, and milk are sold in plastic containers, which can be harmful to health.

3. Encourage recycling: For some items, the use of plastic and polythene is inevitable, like for syringes, medical pouches, etc. Here the disposed of ones should be encouraged for safe recycling and then sterilized.

Also, there should be restrictions on producing new plastic for regular use because the production of new plastic is cheaper than recycling old. Many businesses tend to produce new instead of recycling the old.

5. Minimize the use of sachets

Small sachets are a part of marketing tactics. Sachets of shampoo, pickles, etc., help the customer to try before buying in large quantities.

But companies focus on sachets as a way to increase sales because a pouch is more affordable than a bottle of shampoo.

These are disposable containers for one-time use and significantly add to plastic pollution spread and distribution.

6. Enhance the tax for plastic usage and also generation.

7. Regulate the thickness of bags: Thick plastic bags take a longer time to decay than thin ones. But they can be recycled and reused.

On the other hand, using thin ones is inexpensive to the retailer but is difficult to reuse and recycle.

Safe disposable plastic is another solution to minimize plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution depends on the extent of production and usage on the one hand and the size of its distribution on the other.

The higher the distribution, the more the chances of soil and water contamination and vice-versa.

So governments should impose rules for the safe disposal of polythene and plastics.

Disposal of plastic is done by degrading it under a specific set of microbes that can efficiently decompose it in 3 months or less.

But trying to avoid plastic, by all means, is good for a disease-free life.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.

References

• Common plastics chemicals linked to Human diseases.
• Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in Food Contact Application