November 27, 2019
Nadimul Haque speaks on the need to substitute plastic products with glass based alternatives
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Sir, my subject is ‘Need to substitute plastic products with glass based alternatives’. Plastic pollution is a pressing concern today.
Studies show that annual carbon dioxide emissions from plastics could reach 2.75 billion tonnes by 2050, which is equivalent to using over 600 coal fired power plants. These emissions directly contribute to global warming. India generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, according to a 2015 study by the CPCB. Of this, nearly 40 per cent goes uncollected due to reasons like low recycling value.
As much as 43 per cent of India’s plastics are single use plastic. India is producing more plastic waste than it can recycle. Bottled water, aerated beverages or juices are sold regularly in plastic bottles. These take hundreds of years to decompose in the soil. The government has issued guidelines regarding single use plastic, but we need a strategic plan to phrase out plastic containers including plastic bottles.
Sir, I would urge the government to promote the use of glass products as an alternative to single use plastic containers. Glass bottles are reusable and recyclable. Energy required to recycle glass bottles is far less than producing them. Studies have shown that recycled glass reduces related air pollution by 20 per cent. It also saves space in landfills and reduces emissions due to lower energy cost. Therefore it is the need of the hour to move to substantial alternative to plastic for a cleaner future.
In light of this, I want to ask the government whether they have any plans for mandating the use of glass bottles and containers as eco friendly alternative to plastic bottles.
