Speech on Plastic Pollution

Good Morning Everyone,

You know every year, over 4 million tons of plastic waste are produced in our country India? Depending on the source, between 40% and 70% of this is not recycled. Most of this trash is made up of single-use plastics. It accumulates in landfills like Okhla, on the sides of roads, in rivers and oceans, and clogs drains.

One of the most common materials is now plastic. Nowadays, from supermarkets to everyday houses, it can be seen everywhere.

Why is that so? Why is there a growth rather than a decline in plastic usage? Plastic’s low cost is the key justification. Compared to alternatives like paper and fabric, it is less expensive. It is very prevalent because of this.

Second, it is quite simple to use. Plastic may be used to create practically anything, whether it be liquid or solid. Additionally, it comes in a variety of shapes that we can readily mold. We can also see that plastic is a non-biodegradable substance. It remains on the planet’s surface. Plastic cannot be removed from the environment, either through land or water. As a result, more plastic will be produced that won’t degrade when it is utilized more and more. Plastic pollution as a result is growing really quickly.

Global plastic pollution is a problem that is getting worse. By 2050, it is predicted that there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish. In light of this, it is more crucial than ever to cut down on the amount of plastic waste we produce.

Utilizing reusable bags and bottles when shopping or traveling is one way to accomplish this and stop yourself from making unnecessary purchases that add to the issue. Plastic pollution affects the environment and people’s health on a global scale. Up to 300 million tons of plastic garbage are thought to be created annually. There is a problem with plastic pollution not just in the ocean, but also in rivers, lakes, and even on land.

Millions of people could be directly impacted by plastic pollution, which can modify habitats and natural processes and reduce ecosystems’ capacity to adapt to climate change. The status quo is not an option given the plastic crisis the world is currently experiencing. Plastic pollution is a significant problem that affects the entire world and necessitates an immediate, global response involving all pertinent actors at various levels.

Plastics are part of extensive, worldwide value chains. The implications of each stage of the life cycle affect both individuals and the environment. Even if actions to stop the leaking of microplastics and chemicals into the environment as a result of improper disposal have received the majority of public attention, Dealing with the end-of-life of plastic products won’t be enough to stop this global calamity.

Throughout extraction, manufacturing, usage, and disposal, plastics and chemical additives have numerous negative effects that need to be addressed. Plastic pollution includes all of the chemicals that are added to plastics, many of which are known to be detrimental to both people and the environment. It also refers to the plastic particles themselves.

Plastics have cross-sectoral effects throughout their life cycles that have a variety of negative effects on both people and the environment. As a result, it also serves as a prime example of how the SDGs are interconnected, as tackling the plastic crisis might have positive effects on the environment, society, and the economy.

Numerous efforts, projects, governance solutions, and options have been established to address this serious environmental issue since plastics have significant negative effects on the environment and human health.

The idea of a “circular economy” as it relates to plastics is frequently seen as the only way to solve the plastics challenge. The idea needs to be revised, according to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), which takes into account the composition, use, and disposal of plastics.

Environmental human rights should take precedence over harmful chemicals and toxic disposal methods because they are incompatible with circular economy ideologies. In addition, a fully circular model for plastic should take into account its alternatives and set a production limit to make the recycle-reuse equation more than just a substitute for virgin plastics.

In addition to the 4Rs—recycle, reduce, reuse, and refuse—we should also educate those around us. Public awareness campaigns concerning plastic pollution and its detrimental impacts should be organized. Instead of utilizing and tossing things, we ought to start reusing them. We will be able to control plastic pollution after everyone makes a commitment to use plastic less.

Thank you