Essay on Should plastic be banned for Class 10, 12 and Mains Exam
Plastic, a type of non-biodegradable synthetic material, is deeply rooted inour day- to-day life, from the carry bag we use to bring essentials to the bottles we use for drinking water. The global population produces 386 million tons of plastic waste which supersedes the total number of human beings living on earth. The effects of plastic pollution is devastating as it poses severe threat to the humans, plants and animals including marine life. It is made of hydrocarbon fuels which does not deplete when buried on the earth. The use of plastic has increased over the last few decades as they are long lasting, affordable and weighs light. However, due to its imperishable nature, it appears as a bane apart from being a boon. The government of many countries across the world such as New York, Thailand, Kenya has put a ban on the use of plastics.
Boon or bane:
Plastics has become an indispensable part of our life. Owing to its light weight, versatility, affordability, chemical and water resistant properties it is designed to meet our variety of needs. It is used in packaging, in automobile industries for making helmets, seats and engine parts, in making bedding, furniture and toys, in healthcare units for making syringes, prosthetic limbs, dialysis machines and much more.
Human beings are highly benefitted from the use of plastics not withstanding the deadly consequences inflicted upon them. Chemicals like lead, mercury, and cadmium used in making plastics which are detrimental to animal, human and marine life. The toxic chemicals are carcinogenic in nature and are mostly likely to impair our immune systems. Children may intake phthalates while sucking plastic toys, which is extremely fatal to their health. Plastic bags and plastic bottles are disposed either on the ground or in water bodies by non-challant human beings. These plastics bags or bottles when burnt release harmful toxins which cause air pollution. When they are buried, they cause land pollution and when disposed in water, they cause water pollution thereby killing marine animals like fish, turtles, dolphins, etc. Animals who consume food from debris laced with harmful plastics poison themselves to death. Plastics buried on the land contaminate groundwater by the chemicals suffused from them. Plastic bottles, packets and cans has bisphenol A that permeate into the drinks and food. Human beings get affected when they consume food or drinks from plastic bottles or packets.
Measures to reduce plastic usage:
Reduce, reuse, recycle -3R’s should be adopted to reduce the pollution caused by plastic. Use of plastic bags or bottles can be reduced by replacing it with paper bags and food packets. Many items made of plastic can be used more than once before disposing it. Plastic waste can be recycled and processed into new products for further use. The Indian government has pledged to reduce the use of plastic by 2022. It has stated that the use and manufacture of plastic bags less than 50 microns should be banned. Certain restaurants and vendors have starting using biodegradable cutlery and bags made of paper or cloth.
Conclusion:
Despite of the plethora of needs that are catered to by plastics, the detrimental effects imposed by its usage on human, animal and environment can’t be averted at any cost. In India at around 60 percent of plastic waste is recycled. It is also necessary to tackle the waste segregation and its management. It is important to seek for eco- friendly alternatives instead of using plastics. Indian states such as Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh has put a ban on plastic bags. The earth should be made a better place to live in by making it green, clean and pollution free.
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