Plastic Waste and Management: An Environmental Issue

Abstract

Plastics have been important discovery in the history of mankind. Plastic and polymer have become a part of our life today. Plastics remain in widespread use and in many cases are effective and environmentally friendly. But this also led to problems as well and some kinds of plastic usage become nuisance causes severe environmental degradation. No doubt, plastic is too good for consumers use as it is more durable but burning release very harmful toxic carcinogenic gases which cause damage to our environment. Plastic industry not only harms our environment but also deplete the fossil fuel. As plastic consumption is increasing day by day, obviously plastic waste will also increases automatically. Now the question arises, how plastic waste to be managed. It is either recycled or need to use updated technologies for the management of wastes. Plastic can be recycled and used in various useful products. One truth is that plastic recycling is carried out by informal units which run on outdated technologies, unskilled labour. Moreover with the recycling process, the problem is difficult to automate. Plastic waste industry also supports the idea of converting into energy by incineration. This also solves the problem of waste management. Plastic waste management in developed countries is gradually becoming a mature industry in the need of fundamental improvement that allows reaching higher levels of recovery and recycling.