TODAY -

World Environment Day 2023
Menace of plastic pollution and its remedial measures

Dr Konthoujam Khelchandra *



World Environment Day (WED) is an annual event which is widely celebrated on 5th June as a global day for positive environmental action. The WED was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 and has grown to become one of the main vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action.

WED is designed to give a human face to environmental issues, empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development, promote an understanding that communities are central to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership which will ensure all Nations and people enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

WED is also a day for people from all walks of life to come under one common goal to ensure a cleaner, greener and brighter view for the present and future generation. The WED 2023 is hosted by Cote D’Ivoire and supported by the Netherlands and the theme is “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”. The year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary (1973-2023) of World Environ- ment Day observance.

Menace of plastic pollution: Plastics are usually manufactured by the process of polymerization; which chemically combines monomers into polymers. These polymers are the basic building materials of all plastics. Most of the monomers that make up the plastics are carcinogenic, mutagenic, as well as disruptive of the normal functioning of the endocrine system.

Some of the most commonly used categories of plastics includes low density polyethylene (plastic carry bags or polybags), high density polyethylene (household items such as buckets, bowls, plastic cups and plates), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (thermocol), polyethylene-terephthlate (carbonated soft drinks bottles, mineral water bottles), polycarbonate (baby feeding bottles, large water bottles), polypropylene (packaging eatables like chips, wafers, snacks) etc.

Out of all these plastics types, polyethylene is the most consumed variety. Moreover, a large proportion of plastics that we use are converted into waste in no time. Most of the plastics do not serve long-term needs thereby high percentage ends up in bins. This means that most of the plastics are thrown away very quickly after single use. This causes major disastrous effect on the environment and health hazards.

Some of the heavy metals like lead and cadmium are used as additives in making polyethylene plastics. These additives are very toxic and are known to leach out. Lead is usually neurotoxin that can cause depression of central nervous system, unconscious- ness, respiratory arrest, heart attack, seizures and even death.

Cadmium is a nephrotoxin which damage the cells and tissues of the kidneys causing nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). A nephrotoxin can also aggravate other conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. It is for this reason that coloured plastic bags are considered to be a health hazard.

Burning of polyethylene plastics releases many volatile compounds like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde both of which are suspected to be carcinogens. Formaldehyde causes respiratory distress. Additionally, burning of plastics releases dioxins, which are amongst the most toxic chemicals that have been known to lead to not only cancers, but also cause disruption of endocrine functions and reproductive disorders and it is also linked to birth of defective babies.

Moreover, studies have indicated that microplastics entering the human body through ingestion or inhalation can lead to inflammation, geno-toxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and necrosis. This will result in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation, auto-immune conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, and stroke.

According to United Nations Environment Programme, the world produces more than 300 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. It is alarming to know that only about 10 percent of all the plastic made so far have been recycled, as it is too costly to collect and sort.

The rest are dumped or buried in landfills or burned. So, there is great dangers of using plastic products without restraint. The time has come to take appropriate steps to tackle the menace of plastic pollution.

It is noteworthy that the Government of Manipur has taken concrete measures by adopting the Manipur Plastic Policy, 2022 to reduce the level of plastic pollution and regulate use of single-use plastic products.

As per the policy, the Manipur Government has ordered a ban on single-use plastics with effect from July 1, 2022. Penalty for violation of the Manipur Plastic Policy, includes stringent measures likes imprisonment of 5 years and fine of up to Rs 1 lakh. Implementation of the policy will substantially act as an important means towards reducing the impacts of plastic waste in Manipur.

However, we need to watch and see the successful execution of the Manipur Plastic Policy in true spirit in order to achieve the actual desired objectives for a better environment.

What can be done to reduce plastic pollution? There is no magic formula by which we can immediately cut the level of plastic pollution. However, we can adopt specific lifestyle changes and alternatives to help reduce our dependence on usage of plastic items, thereby trimming its demand.

Reduce, reuse, recycle and replace is the mantra when tackling plastic pollution. We should say no to single-use plastics; Use our own cloth bags for shopping; stop buying drinking water or any beverages in plastic bottles; Discourage the usage of plastic cups for soft drinks, coffee or tea. Insist on glass or ceramic mugs; Make your storage container plastic free.

Store all our food items in glass containers. Clean and reuse glass containers whenever you buy one. In order to combat plastic pollution on a larger scale, introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is of prime importance; wherein the producer must bear the responsibility for the EPR throughout its life-cycle.

In practice, there has to be a clearly identifiable manufacturer responsibility for every single mineral water bottle that is discarded. The company is responsible for ensuring that the bottles are picked up, collected, and recycled. There is need for phasing out the toxics like PVC and toxic additives used in plastics manufacturing. It is also important to encourage alternatives to plastic usage.

Prevention of plastic waste is possible by altering attitudes and behaviour of individuals and businesses. Awareness programmes and youth led initiatives helps, while bans and levies on single-use plastics will force firms to change packaging, preventing plastic from reaching the consumers.

Providing plastic-free drinking water through public tapes may prevent people from buying bottled water. Instead, people may carry reusable water bottles. It is also really important to provide plastic-free alternatives, edible packaging and reusable items, this will go a long way in minimizing the use of plastics in our daily life.

We should stress on change at local level. One of the changes we can bring is the demand for better material use. This can be done by buying greener and ecofriendly products. Moreover, we should make changes to showcase the possibility and viability of alternatives, such as in educational institutes, shopping areas, offices, and tourist spots.

We could use substitutes for plastics or reduce their use, buy products that are packaged in better environment friendly materials. We should avoid using or serving in disposables, like plastic plates, plastic glasses, and thermocol. There should be sound waste collection and waste management systems that will ensure reduction of plastic in garbage.

It is pertinent to have a systematic door to door solid waste collection from the different areas. The present system of waste collection by Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) and IMC nominated NGOs in the various areas of Imphal is not very effective. Segregation of waste at the source is very important. Till date to my knowledge there is no report of segregating the household waste at source in Imphal.

This is one of the major challenges where the concerned authority should take appropriate measures for segregation of waste at source. It is noteworthy to remember that the Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016 have mandated the source segregation of waste in order to channelise the waste to wealth by recovery, reuse and recycle.

We should encourage reusing plastic products and materials; this will help extend their lifestyles and reduce wastage. Innovative reuse models like glass and steel bottles, cloth or jute shopping bags, plastic-free packaging reduce plastic pollution and save costs. Recycling plastic is extremely important since only 14 percent of plastic packaging is collected for recycling, increasing plastic collection rates will enhance recycling.

Disposal should be the last option for materials that cannot be reused or recycled. So, a good waste management system is mandatory to reduce economic impact and environmental damage. These are some of the remedial measures that will aid in reduction of plastic pollution.

Therefore, on this World Environment Day, 2023, let us all undertake immediate actions targeted towards minimizing the level of plastic pollution on priority basis and at the same time encourage and increase our support to policies that will ensure a plastic-free environment for the betterment of our future generations.


* Dr Konthoujam Khelchandra wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer is Associate Professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Manipur University.
He can be contacted at kkhelchandrasingh(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on 06 June 2023.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Students Murder Protest [Sep 26] #2 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023 :: News Timeline
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2023 #4: Gallery
  • Murder is not a solution
  • The Power of Poppy - 4 :: Poem
  • Scholarship Program for IAS Coaching
  • Eeconomic activities in animal husbandry
  • Manipur violence: War for Chin-Kuki State
  • Condoning worse than committing crime
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar for 2024
  • Ban the Bandhs- for a prosperous Manipur
  • Lamyanba Hijam Irawat Day: Visionary Leader
  • Lal Bahadur Shastri - Some Highlights
  • UAVs in Manipur's ethnic clash
  • Guwahati INIFD at New York Fashion Week
  • Even your God will despise this
  • Time to probe Zale'n-gam, Khalistani link
  • The descent of Radha-Krishna #7: Download
  • Is ST reservation a real issue for Manipur crisis
  • World Bamboo Day @Patsoi #3 : Gallery
  • Aribam Kumar: Writer of the Year Award
  • Condemnation of murder of two students
  • The pain behind her silent tears :: Poem
  • Meeting of Interfaith Forum at Guwahati
  • Solidarity Demonstration @Seoul : Gallery
  • October Calendar for Year 2023 : Tools
  • Manipur crisis & popular sentiment
  • Solidarity Demonstration on Manipur at Korea
  • Traumatic experiences: Kuki-Meitei clash #2
  • Students reach out to Historical sites
  • ADBU MoUs with Taiwan Universities
  • Knowing the ground reality
  • The writing on the wall
  • 'Laangban Chara Tamba' #3: Gallery
  • Naorem Roshibina: Silver, 19th Asian Games
  • Sit-in at United Nations in Geneva
  • FRA imbroglio in Manipur
  • Who feels brunt of Inept leadership
  • Cancer Awareness at Education (S), Imphal
  • Condemn brutal murder of innocent student
  • Kongthong, Meghalaya: Best Tourism Village
  • Time for Imphal to set the agenda
  • A diversionary war tactic & a bigger question
  • Students Murder Protest [Sep 27] #1 : Gallery
  • Silent Prayer demanding Justice : Gallery
  • Candlelight Vigil demanding Justice
  • Demands Justice for Murdered Meitei
  • CMESS to Moirang College Relief Camp
  • A decade for youth to make India #2
  • Nagaland to get first 5-star properties
  • Murder most foul
  • Not the time for CM to waste on trailers
  • Students Murder Protest [Sep 26] #1 : Gallery
  • Demand Justice for Hemjit & Linthoingambi
  • Karkinos: Top Honours at Arogya Manthan
  • NEIMUN 2023: Youth Leadership Conference
  • Brucellosis : zoonotic bacterial disease
  • State presidents for Nagaland & Meghalaya
  • Fixing responsible for the murder
  • Need of the hour: Bilateral disarmament
  • Protesters & SF @Kwakta #2: Gallery
  • Marina by Night
  • Seminar at "Oriental Theological College"
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Vote for me or my wife
  • Sohra International Half Marathon
  • State failure vis-a-vis ethnic cleansing
  • The blockade on the road to peace
  • World Bamboo Day @Patsoi #1: Gallery
  • The Meitei Nupi :: Poem
  • Traumatic experiences: Kuki-Meitei clash #1
  • Tifo unveiled during NE United game
  • Sign languages as Career
  • Torbung on May 3: Where it all started
  • The danger of Zalengam dream
  • The descent of Radha-Krishna #6: Download
  • Conflict in Manipur: Summary of issues
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #5
  • Get to know more about Canine Distemper
  • The Power of Poppy - 3 :: Poem
  • Why Is Manipur Burning ?
  • Condemns Biased UN Side Event
  • Inpui Baptist Church celebrated Decadal
  • When the public relations fail #2
  • A decade for youth to make India #1
  • Tell the story to the outside world
  • Misleading the House of Commons
  • 'Laangban Chara Tamba' #2: Gallery
  • Village Volunteers: Protectors of the Nation
  • World Bamboo Day Painting Comp. results
  • Voluntary Blood Donation Camp
  • Improved potato varieties suited to Manipur
  • Autumn hair care: Tips for healthier hair
  • Manipur cannot go on like this
  • Shifting the theatre of war to Geneva
  • 1958: Kuki Chiefs' Memo to Union HM
  • Never too early never too late
  • Celebrities' approaches to Mental Health
  • International Day of Peace
  • Litter box training for cats
  • Trek leaders training programme
  • An indifferent Delhi
  • A good move with bad intention
  • Protesters & AR @Pallel #2: Gallery
  • Before the inflection point in our society !
  • Whither Naga Peace? Spl session of Parl
  • Lumpy Skin Disease
  • In total chaos since May 3 evening
  • Clutching at straws by drowning man
  • Winter Relief @ Mayang Imphal : Gallery
  • World Bamboo Day at Chandigarh
  • Will leaders walk the talk to end TB at UN
  • When the public relations fail #1
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #4
  • Reimpose AFSPA call
  • Lesson to be learnt from SAFF boys
  • Breaches of International Humanitarian Law
  • Do we have a Government!
  • 'Birthday boy' glows, critics wonder...
  • Two Murals from Two Corners
  • Sir, a birthday treat for us
  • 'Laangban Chara Tamba' #1: Gallery
  • Student Council: Pillars of Governance
  • World Ozone Day observed at Imphal
  • Col N Hemachandra: Brigadier in Army
  • The Power of Poppy - 2 :: Poem
  • Manipur Crisis: You can bring Delhi to Imphal
  • Manipuri Kokyet finds space in Parliament
  • Relief materials at Moirang, Thoubal
  • Armed Forces' role in Manipur under scrutiny
  • India elevated G20 as 'premier forum'
  • 'Solution first, peace later' slogan
  • Hoping against hope
  • Candle light vigil @ Kangla #2: Gallery
  • DMCC met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
  • The existential crisis - The Reality
  • Seriousness of legal proceedings
  • Role of Governor in summoning Assembly #2
  • One-sided reports vis-a-vis Manipur crisis
  • Death of a Sub-inspector
  • Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra : Download
  • Dr Marjit: Academic Award at Malaysia
  • Interreligious Appeal to end violence
  • Gurkha War & diaspora in Manipur #3
  • Manipur Special Youth Assembly Session
  • From new districts to separate State
  • Looking for ally, desperately
  • Protesters & SF @Kwakta #1: Gallery
  • An Open Letter to President Joe Biden
  • Elephants in a Seed
  • Switzerland of India become a love lost State
  • Restoration of mining affected areas
  • Why did Army invite EGI : CJI
  • EGI invited by Army for objective assessment!
  • Note on Kuki-Hmar Trouble [1960]
  • Sober Thoughts
  • Weaving Looms presented at Relief Camp
  • A compassionate relief & cash payment
  • Sisters and brothers :: Poem
  • Coming to the negotiating table
  • The way forward
  • Protesters & AR @Pallel #1: Gallery
  • Romi Meitei : Best director @Kazan film fest
  • Success of Rahmani30 in Manipur NEET-UG
  • Modi, Biren, Shah exposes tragic series
  • Bharat is older than India
  • Mega Health Camp & Skill Development
  • Demand for ST tag by Meiteis
  • Internationalising the Kuki-Meitei conflict
  • The descent of Radha-Krishna #5: Download
  • Creating Hope Through Action
  • Ningthoujam Binoy: National Teachers' Award
  • The Power of Poppy - 1 :: Poem
  • Role of Governor in summoning Assembly #1
  • Gurkha War & diaspora in Manipur #2
  • Darkest Era of Meiteis
  • Robert Memorial Internship Awarded
  • Churachandpur Meiteis at the crossroads
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #3
  • Meeting of Meitei Club, Burari
  • G20 call to action in agriculture
  • Silent on the remains at CCpur
  • The resolution to unite all CSOs
  • Rebuttal: EGI Fact-finding Mission Report
  • S Tiken (Thang-Ta) Fellowhsip Award
  • Manipuri or Meitei ?
  • Relief Distribution at Wakhong Pukao
  • Human-centric globalisation : Taking G20
  • Cancer Screening at SP Office, Imphal
  • Doing a disservice to Kuki-Chin cause
  • Epidemic threat at relief centres
  • The Chothes of Manipur
  • Communalism; A Dangerous Ism
  • Condemns the incident at Chalwa
  • Unity - need of the hour
  • International Day of Police Cooperation
  • 5,000 Scholarships for 1st year undergrad
  • Classic case of victimising the victims
  • 11 years in service and raring to go
  • Relief Work - August 2023 : Gallery
  • Krishna Leela
  • Gurkha War & diaspora in Manipur #1
  • Cancer Awareness at Imphal East
  • Training on cultivation of mushroom
  • Illegal immigrants & Manipur violence
  • Missing fact in EGI's fact-finding report
  • Is govt inviting a 3rd Nupi Lal ?
  • The Chieftaindom of Kukis
  • The role of teachers in society
  • Condolence Message
  • Framework for the future of work
  • Understanding Manipur crisis in four days!
  • The case of 'Meitei media'
  • List of Kings of Manipur: 33 - 1984 AD
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #2
  • Winter Relief Services commenced
  • Special Session of Parliament
  • Advantage of simultaneous election in India
  • Fake Finding Committee ?
  • Poisoning the mind of Kuki-Chin people
  • Remedies to reduce hair growth on upper lip
  • Rally against Narco-Terrorism #3 : Gallery
  • On ethnic Nationalism & exclusive domains
  • Candle light vigil @ Kangla #1: Gallery
  • Patriots' Day @ Kangla: Gallery
  • Protesters with Army [Aug 03] #3 : Gallery
  • Indigenous Wrestling @ Purul : Gallery
  • Patriots' Day @ Thangal Temple: Gallery
  • Maram folklore & Meitei connection
  • 'Remove Assam Rifles' [Aug 07] #2 : Gallery
  • Patriots' Day @ Hicham Yaicham : Gallery
  • Model of Spelling-bee Competition
  • HSLC 2023 :: Top 25 Rank Holders
  • HSLC 2023 :: Subject Topper
  • HSLC 2023 :: Full Result
  • HSLC 2023 :: Compartmental Result
  • HSLC 2023 :: Pass % : Govt Schools
  • HSLC 2023 :: Pass % : Private Schools
  • HSLC 2023 :: Pass % : Aided Schools
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Science
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Arts
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Commerce
  • From May 3, 1993 to the present
  • COVID-19 : Impact in Manipur :: News Timeline