Hyderabad: If the efforts of civic bodies here bear fruit, the city could be free of non-recyclable plastic in a matter of a few years. That is, if the city manages to get rid of a habit that it has found tough to get rid of despite several campaigns earlier.
Plastic, in all its forms, ranging from milk packets to water bottles, toothbrushes and carry bags to computers, pose a major headache and health hazard, to Hyderabad.
Despite several attempts over the years to enforce regulations, accompanied by major awareness campaigns on the impact of plastic waste on human health and wildlife, plastic items are still being used and discarded in large numbers every day in the city.
“There is no doubt that plastic makes our lives easy. It is lightweight, inexpensive and moisture resistant. But, widespread use of plastic is causing unprecedented environmental problems,” said ShardulBajikar, a naturalist, and added that plastic was preventing recharge of groundwater as well.
“The problem with plastic is that the degradation process is very slow. In most cases plastic takes about 100 years to decompose,” said N Raveendhar, Senior Environmental Scientist, Telangana State Pollution Control board.
“We have been taking measures to control plastic pollution in the city by imposing heavy fines on plastic manufacturers and recycling industries that violate norms,” he added.
Authorities here are also pinning hopes on the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, which specify that food items should not be packed in recycled plastics or compostable plastics.
With nearly 15 per cent of the waste generated under GHMC limits being plastic, the Corporation aims to encourage other alternatives such as jute and paper bags, apart from engaging every stakeholder in its drive against plastic use. It will also look at involving school children and NGOs for a massive campaign and also to ensure strict enforcement of norms. The results, officials hope, will be visible in a year or two.
