Waste Plastic Disposal: A Grave Problem

Waste plastic problem is an ever-increasing menace for global environment. Because of flexibility, durability and economy, a phenomenal rise is observed in the plastic consumer base. Throughout the world, research on waste plastic management is being carried out at war-footing. In developed countries, few waste plastic disposal / conversion methods have been implemented but are not efficient and economically feasible.

 Plastics being non biodegradable get accumulated in the environment. If this problem is not addressed properly, it will lead to mountains of waste plastic. Environment protection Agency U.K. estimates that by the year 2005 the amount of waste plastic throw will be 65% more than that in year 1997.

India has been a favored dumping ground for plastic wastes, mostly from industrialized countries like Canada, Denmark, Germany, UK, the Netherlands, Japan, France and the United States. According to the Government of India import data, more than 59,000 tons and 61,000 tons of plastic waste have found its way into India in the years 1999 and 2000 respectively. (Source: Statistics of Foreign Trade of India. March 2000 and March 2001. DGFT, Government of India). More than 100 million tons of plastic is produced worldwide each year. Though plastics have opened the way for a plethora of new inventions and devices it has also ended up clogging the drains and becoming a health hazard.

 Current status of technology in country

According to a nation wide survey, conducted in the year 2003, more than 10,000 MT of plastic waste is generated daily in our country, and only 40 wt% of the same is recycled, balance 60 wt% is not possible to dispose off (Reference `The Hindu’ dated 25/09/03 and Central Pollution Control Board Study, 2003)

Plastic waste contributes to the solid waste streams by about 8% - 15% by weight and twice that by Volume (GOI 1997). It is projected that annual post-consumer plastic waste will reach 3.6 million tons by the year 2005-2006. At these alarming levels of waste generation, India needs to prepare a lot in recycling and disposing the waste. Several processes and means have been attempted to fight against the alarming levels of waste generation. However each process had its drawbacks and operational, economical & financial limitations for practical implementation.

A large proportion of sheeting materials and molded parts, etc is left out by rag pickers. The small bags /moldings are soiled and are difficult to identify. Also they have no value as recycle feed stocks. These un-utilized waste plastic remain uncollected and spread everywhere, littered in open drains or in garbage dumps, often resulting in choking of municipal sewers and storm water drains. Thus the balance 40 wt% gradually goes on accumulating, thereby leading to:

• Serious environmental problem  
• Disposal problems  
• Wastage and non utilization of high energy material

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