GROUP DISCUSSION

Plastic is by far the most ingenious innovation. We go to the corner shop for
provisions or to a bakery or to the local vegetable vendor and conveniently
bring back our things in a plastic bag, which is lightweight and so
convenient.

Decades ago, shopping bags in various sizes made of cloth and jute were
available which would last for almost six months. But now we go hands-free
and bring home stuff in plastic bags. But plastic, the convenient is
becoming a burden, thanks to our irresponsible abandoning of the plastic
bags as we please.

Negative sides of using it: Plastic by itself is harmful to the environment

when it is manufactured and since most plastic is not biodegradable it
causes collateral damage. Plastics are made from petroleum products,
except a few forms which are made from resins. Plastics can be moulded in
different forms mainly because of their molecular structure. More than a
hundred million tonnes of plastics are
produced every year and developed
countries produce the most.

Carelessly strewn plastic materials cause a lot of damage. They clog drains
and are eaten by grazing cattle, which may cause death. Plastic materials
obstruct and prevent rain water from seeping into the ground. Many plastic
materials may induce cancer and are a proven health hazard. During
manufacturing of plastics, many waste by-products contain
chlorofluorocarbons, which affect the ozone layer and lead to global
warming.
Hill stations, where tourists flock, face a huge problem of plastic waste. It is
heartening to note that some hill stations like Ooty in Tamil Nadu,
Darjeeling in West Bengal and some cities have completely banned the use
of plastic.

This is a welcome trend. After the monsoon, due to continuous water

stagnation, roads get damaged. What can be done to prevent From ill
effects of Plastic? There is an urgent need to educate society on the ill
effects of plastic so that progressively we can reduce its usage and learn to
use alternative products, which are eco-friendly and inculcate good
practices of plastic disposal.

The garbage we accumulate in our homes should be segregated into

biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste to facilitate proper disposal by
a local municipality.

A substantial quantity of municipal waste can be reused for energy

production or composted for manure but plastic waste which comprises
about 10 per cent in weight or 20 per cent in volume is the main
impediment. Many cities have woken up to the ill effects of plastic and have
banned its use. Since plastic is impermeable and prevents water seepage, it
can be used for strengthening the top layer while laying roads, mixed it with
bitumen.
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TIC
BAN

TEAM MATES (II YEAR MECH B)

1.LALITH KISHORE
2.VISHWA
3.ARULALAN
4.NARESH