President Pratibha Patil expressed concern over the impact of plastics on environment and sought effective waste management system to counter ecological hazards.
President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday expressed concern over the impact of plastics on environment and sought effective waste management system to counter ecological hazards.
"Effective waste management of plastics, by adopting proper recycling technology, is the need of the hour to deal with the menace of plastic waste," Patil said after inaugurating the seventh PlastIndia 2009.
She said plastic articles strewn all over have caused the general public ire and environmental harm.
"It is this indiscriminate littering, which is the basic reason for concerns regarding the waste generated. We need to adopt a responsible approach in the use of plastic," she said.
The president pointed out that the lack of appropriate mechanism to segregate and dispose of plastic waste is one of the major problems.
She called for concerted efforts by industry and civil society to bring awareness about proper use and disposal of plastic waste. "Plastic waste is not waste per se, and can be treated as 'wealth' by recycling them into value-added products".
The president said recycling parks could be developed with the participation of the Central and state government agencies, the industry, local self government and civic bodies.
Patil said there is a need to emphasize on the development of value added, quality petrochemical products at globally competitive prices, using eco-friendly processes and technologies.
"I am sure that with a vast talented and skilled manpower; and well established and globally reputed institutions; we take major strides in research and development activities in areas of material development, like high performance plastics and biodegradable polymers," she said.
Patil added plastic, with its inertness, light weight and cost-effectiveness can be used for multiple purposes.
The global demand for plastics since 1990 has grown at an average of 5.5 per cent annually, she said, adding the global consumption reached about 200 million tonnes (one tonne = 1,000 kg)during 2008, with per capita consumption levels of 30 kg.
North America and West Europe have high per capita consumption between 80 and 100 kg, while in China it is about 25 kgs and in India around 5.5 kg.
There are currently more than 50,000 units across the country with a turnover in excess of Rs 80,000 crore.
The Indian plastic industry is relatively labour- intensive, she added.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}