Plastic Pollution

Plastic is cost-effective, long-lasting, and easily portable material; we can mould it into the shapes required. It has a wide range of applications. The production of plastics has increased remarkably over the last 60 years. As a result, their usage and disposal create several environmental problems. Our current use of plastics is not sustainable. In addition, because of the durability of these polymers, the quantity of discarded end-of-life plastics and microplastics are accumulated. Plastic pollution in oceans is rising at an alarming rate, and it is now the biggest threat to ocean ecosystems. Not only the water ecosystem but it's seen in peaks like, Mount Everest which is Earth's highest mountain. Recycling is a waste-management strategy, and also, recycling plastics is one method for reducing environmental impact and resource depletion.

The key role or initiation occurs from the Household day-to-day usage of wastes and its efficient segregation. To one extent, medical wastes and industrial wastes are segregated and recycled. Still, we lack in segregating the domestic wastes, which generates a lot of waste, which is inturn collected as debris in water bodies and landfills.

Domestic waste segregation: domestic waste segregation basically means keeping wet and dry wastes separately, due to which composting, recycling, incineration can be applied to different kinds of junk. As a result, it reduces the plastic that reaches landfills and limits pollution to air and water.

There are 4 ways to segregate domestic waste:

1.kitchen waste: Maintain a drum or bin to deposit kitchen waste to be converted into rich organic compost. we can choose the composting process, which includes vermicomposting, aerobic, and anaerobic composting

2.Dry waste: It is divided into recyclable and non-recyclable waste. If recyclable waste is segregated further, it can fetch us money or goodies from online kabadiwala, local scrap dealers, recycling centers.

3.Sanitary waste: Diapers, sanitary napkins, and other hygiene-related products must be incinerated, microwaved, or autoclaved to avoid the spread of diseases.

4.E-waste: There are 3 types of E-waste
Bulky
Hazardous
Non-hazardous.

Conclusion
Every individual needs to be responsible for creating a sustainable environment for us and our future generations. Lot of care has been taken and programmes have been initiated from the government and as well as non-profit organizations across the country to conserve the environment and stop pollution. We all need to follow simple basic things: 3Rs and a little bit of time investment in gardening, planting, and making sure to separate the wastes before we throw it.

Facts
The BBMP is carrying out collections, Street sweeping, transportation, processing, and disposal of Municipal solid waste from generators through the "solid waste management" program. The program is incredible; its got own collection centers and dumpsites disposing of the scraps. We could see so many celebrities and renowned people supporting the cause to create a sustainable, suitable environment for the human race to live in during lockdown. Like for example, by creating awareness about gardening, manure preparation, animal welfare, etc. Many startups in and around Bangalore collect waste and reuse it to make beautiful interior decorating items used in cafes, restaurants, homes, etc...