INTRODUCTION:

Polythene, an organic compound is a polymer(macromolecule)

consisting of long chains of monomer ethylene.

Pollution is any contaminants introduced into the environment that

causes instability to physical systems or living organism.

The pollution caused by polythene substances (like plastic bags,

asbestos etc.) which causes drastic effect to the environment is called
polythene pollution.

Plastic was invented in the early 20th century, Polythene came into the market for
commercial use in 1982. It became popular commercially more than the other bags due to
its low price and portability. Man has begun to lead a more comfortable life. But this
comfort is taking its toll on the environment.

Decades have passed since man began to understand the ill effects of the use of
plastic, but not enough is being done to control and prevent further degradation. The main
reason for this seems to be lethargy on the part of humans and the fact that the use of
plastic makes life so easy for man that a world without plastic is simply unthinkable now.

When people started to use and dispose polythene randomly, and with no effective
disposal system, the environmental consequences led to worsening the situation. Next, in
course of time, the situation became unbearable

Plastic has made man get used to the ‘use and throw’ culture. Man does not even
think twice about throwing away a plastic bag, perhaps because it comes so cheap. About
10 per cent of all garbage is plastic. Thousands and tonnes of plastic end up as waste
every year. Though a majority of this is carry bags, only 50 per cent of plastic thrown is
recycled. Despite being long lasting, plastic is thrown away after one use, as it is very
economic.

Polythene material can be seen spread over in the streets, in the neighbourhood, in
the rivulets, river-banks of the small or big rivers. Even Ganga, Yamuna and other rivers
all are covered with a thick layer of polythene material.
 Take the example of a marriage Party. In every marriage function about 1000 to
1500 utensils of polythene material are used at one go. Use the Plates, glass, spoons,
bowls all of plastic material and throw them away anywhere in and around the marriage
Pandal.

We spend a sizeable amount of money on these functions but don’t provide for garbage
disposal. We have a system of first come first serve these days. In such buffet parties the
guests who come first, promptly eat away the food in a hurry and throw away the garbage
around them in the Pandal itself. They don’t even try to find out the garbage disposal Pot.
The guests are inconvenienced because of the presence of the garbage on the floor. But
who bothers! If the first party has done so, the second party would also have done the
same if it would have been the first to be served. Globalization has added to this problem
in a big way. Electronic gadgets all are designed with a view to use and throw, because
the repairs are costly.

EFFECTS:

Polythene is non-degradable, it blocks the rainwater seeping into the soil so that
ground water could not be recharged.
Burying polythene bags in mountainous regions loosened the grip on vegetation
and soil binding, causing landslides.
It makes soil unsuitable for construction.
When dumped in soil, polythene prevents emission of the toxic gases and
pollutants from the earth.
Polythene destroys the bacteria in the soil causing loss of soil fertility and the
capacity of soil to yield agricultural produces diminished.
Burning polythene bags is dangerous as it releases dioxin and hydrogen cyanide,
the most carcinogenic and toxic substances. Inhalation of these poisonous gases causes
severe and chronic health problem. These gases also pollute the air.
Experts say that polythene bags and other plastic materials, if burnt below 7,000
degrees Celsius, create a dioxin like poisonous gas, which can cause cancer and skin
diseases.
Findings of a research on polythene conducted by the Korean Institute of Health
Research, said workers at polythene factories are more exposed to cancer, skin disease
and other fatal health problems.
 Polythene expert also said that polythene-wrapped fish and meat generate a kind
of heat that creates radiation which ultimately makes the food poisonous. Besides, the
polythene-wrapped fish, meat and vegetables get infected by anaerobic bacteria, a germ
responsible for skin disease and cancer. The colour used in polythene bags in our
country is also a threat to public health.
Most of the bags used were typically thrown in the streets or into drainage
facilities. Since the bags did not degrade like paper bags, they very frequently ended up
clogging drains and the sewerage system, which in turn created significant negative
health effects.

More than 80 diseases can be caused by water borne germs and these germs
were provided with a suitable breeding ground when polythene bags clogged up the
drains. Water-clogging is also believed to be the main cause of several outbreaks of
dengue fever. Blocked drains forced sewer water into drinking water supplies during the
floods turning the water virtually poisonous.
During monsoon, following heavy rainfall, many roads and lanes submerged
under water for weeks or more, due to blockage of the sewerage and drains by substances
including polythene. Even the rivers lost their navigability and water had become toxic
due to polythene bags which were deposited in millions on the river beds every day. 80%
of blocked drains were blocked because of polythene. In a country prone to severe
flooding, the blocking of drains by polythene bags severely exacerbated the problem.

Situation
In order to fight the menace of Polythene pollution, the Local Self
Government institutions have come up with laws restricting the use of polythene. But the
menace of polythene continues unabated. In fact it is no use thrusting such laws which
are not practical. The fact is polythene is a most useful and convenient thing. You can
store lot of material on a polythene bag.
In USA and other foreign countries, polythene is used in a big way and it
is recycled many times. But they do not face such problems as we face in India. There are
strict laws for the disposal of the polythene bags. The polythene, after use, is dumped at
the garbage disposal pots or Trashes. There are different garbage disposal pots for
dumping polythene, paper or other waste material. There is strict enforcement of laws
which provides for punitive measures if garbage is thrown at unspecified places. The
citizens comply with the rules with responsibility. But in India there is no enforcement of
law, with the result the entire road
becomes the Garbage disposal place.
We as citizen have a responsibility towards this burning problem. We
should use the polythene material but must throw the same at specified garbage disposal
pots. Law prohibiting polythene in India has become a dead law as it is not possible to
enforce it. A vigilant public opinion can only fight the problems arising out of the use of
polythene, for which we all must owe responsibility seriously.

Hopeful solutions
Garment owners said that by using the thread produced from garment waste
they could make cheap environment friendly bags as a substitute to polythene, nylon or
jute bags. They also said that the production cost would be cheaper than other bags in
the market.
Another answer for the substitute of polythene bags could be the “New Bio-
degradable Plastic Bag”, which was first introduced in England. Though its production
cost is 15-20% higher than the polythene shopping bag, it is still a good substitute.
Paper bags can also be used as a substitute for polythene bags even though they have a
disadvantage of tearing fast or easily unlike the polybags.
Using new technology and at bearable costs polybags can be made here that
would decompose like the ones made in developed countries. Such polybags would not
cost more than the ones now in use in Bangladesh. Moreover, the foreign importing
countries often ask for bags which are naturally perishable. At present we have to
import these bags, which mean increased costs for our exports. Now some changes in
the production mechanism of the existing polythene industry can easily make the
polythene-making factories to bio-degradable bag producers. Substantial amount of
investments is required to undertake this project and government help is required.
The problems that emerge after the ban polythene are mainly due to the failure
of jute to become substitutes, the re-appearance of polybag in different forms, among
others. Both the government and private sector can come forward to resolve all these
problems by investing in jute industry to make it a feasible substitute, or in polythene
industry to turn them into bio-degradable bag producers. This will also resolve the
employment loss problem in the polythene industry.

How we can help the environment

1. Use CFC free products. Chloro Fluoro Carbons destroy the ozone layer, which
protects us from harmful UV rays.

2. Boycott products from companies that produce CFCs.

3. Carpool or walk to reduce carbon dioxide pollution in the air.

4. Do not use ivory or animal furs. Animals are killed to make these!

5. Eat dolphin safe tuna, or don't eat tuna at all.

6. Buy in bulk--this saves not only on packaging that you would eventually have
to dispose of, but reduces tremendously the amount of industrial waste generated
to make the packaging.

7. Shop for durable, long-lasting products. For example, use a metal razor instead
of disposables, or a metal roasting pan instead of a disposable one.

8. Reuse whatever you can, including aluminum pie tins, glassware, plastic cutlery
and aluminum foil.

9.Buy products with recycled contents.

10. Precycle--make an effort to buy products with recyclable packaging.

Leave the grass clippings on the lawn, and start a backyard composting bin for
yard clippings.

11. Instead of throwing away items such as furniture, appliances and clothing,
look for a place to donate them.

12. Make recycling easy by putting recycle bins in the rooms where you use the
products. If you open the mail in your den, keep a box nearby where you can put
junk mail. If you want to save vegetable and fruit clippings for a composting pile,
keep them in a container under the sink.

13. Replace paper cups, plates and napkins with washable, reusable cups and
plates and cloth napkins.

14. Keep used paper in a stack and use the flip side for scrap work.

15. Try to buy items that are less toxic to the environment when produced. For
example, use vinegar and water as a replacement to glass cleaner.

16. Keep in mind that trash generation is not confined to the home.

17. Remember the amount of packaging when choosing a restaurant for take-out
food.
Report:
The Himachal Pradesh State Government has recently taken a much needed
decision by imposing ban on the use of polythene carry bags having thickness less than
70 microns and size less than 12"x18". This has been made effective from 14th June,
2004 in the entire State in order to check indiscriminate throwing of plastic carry bags
here and there including forest land, public places, roads and drains thereby causing
serious problems related to sanitation and environmental degradation. The Government
has been sensitive to the need of protecting environment as a result The Himachal
Pradesh Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, was firstly enacted in1995. Keeping
in view, the loopholes in implementation of prohibition on the traders, retailers and
vendors in the State for using the coloured polythene carry bags manufactured from
recycled plastic, for packaging goods sold by them, now the Government has taken this
step and imposed such ban as an urgent need was also felt to lay dawn specifications of
carry bags made of non-biodegradable material in order to ensure that polythene bags
used by stockiest, traders, retailers and vendors should be reused again and again by the
customers instead of being strewn everywhere. There is a provision of fine on
distributors, stockists and retailers violating the ban under the rules.

Jammu and Kashmir Polythene Manufacturers and Traders Association

launched a concerted campaign on MARCH 03, 2004 to create awareness among the
general public about proper disposal of used polythene bags and other plastic products
waste. By holding seminars, media conference and symposia at various levels, the
association instructed the consumers of polythene carrying bags to not throw the used
bags in the lanes and drains, rather deposit the same in separate garbage dumps, so that
the same can be scientifically disposed off or recycled. The meeting of the functionaries
of the association, under the chairmanship of its president, Rakesh Gupta also instructed
its member units, manufacturers and dealers of polythene bags to strictly adhere to the
norms and rules as notified under SRO No. 698(E) of 17th June 2003, with regard to the
size and weight of plastic carry bags to the manufactured and traded by them. The
association hailed the stand taken by the Chairman of State Pollution Control Board, S.D.
Swatantar that plastics have become an essential part of the modern day life and cannot
be dispended with.

Going a step further from its awareness drive against the use of polythene, the
Haryana Pollution Control Board has decided to penalize those who violate the norms on
polythene. Use of polythene with thickness of less than 30 microns will be made illegal.

Coimbatore Corporation on conducted a meeting of traders, merchants, public

and manufacturers of plastics to sensitise them to the need for banning plastics/polythene
bags. The ban would come into effect from April 1.
CONCLUSION:

The recent invention of fibre extracted from feathers has shown significant
results. It can replace more expensive plastic and fibreglass. The feather fibre is more absorbent
than wood fibres. More importantly, it comes from any bird and commercial chickens.

Surely in the new millennium, we will continue to produce new and innovative
environmentally friendly products that will enable the nation and its citizens to be eco-conscious.

Enough is enough! We need to be disciplined and we must cultivate

civic sense to save India from this disaster.