TOPIC: SINGLE USE

PLASTICS

GROUP MEMBERS :
GAURAVI SAXENA

SHRADDHA CHAUDHARY

KUMARI BABLI

SHAKKHI NATH

TARUN KUMAR ANAND

INDEX
1. WHAT IS SINGLE USE PLASTICS

2. WHICH PRODUCTS ARE MADE OF SINGLE USE PLASTICS

3. HOW BIG IS PLASTIC INDUSTRY

4. WHICH INDUSTRIES USE SINGLE USE PLASTIC

5. WHAT ARE ALTERNATIVES TO SINGLE USE PLASTIC

6. WHY IT IS A PROBLEM

7. INDUSTRY”S CONCERN

8. SIGNIFICANCE OF SINGLE USE PLASTICS

9. WHY DO WE NEED SINGLE USE PLASTIC IN FIRST PLACE

10. INDUSTRIES WORKING TOWARDS ECOFRIENDLY PRODUCTION OF

SINGLE USE PLASTIC

11. WHY SINGLE-USE PLASTICS CAN”T BE RECYCLED

12. WAYS TO REUSE SINGLE- USE PLASTICS

13. Ways to reduce single-use plastics

14. CONCLUSION
What is single-use plastic?
Single-use plastics are often referred to as disposal plastics (read that as products that
are meant to withstand a single-use like a sachet). These are used for packaging and
include items intended for use only once. The European Union, for instance, describes
'single-use plastics' as plastics as products made of plastic such as cotton-bud sticks,
cutlery, plates, straws, sticks for balloons, cups, food, beverage containers made of
polystyrene and products made of oxo-degradable plastic, etc.
Industry gives a different definition. "We consider 100 per cent recyclable material with
thickness greater than 50 microns and a minimum 20% recycled content as non-single
use plastic," says an Amazon India spokesperson. That implies plastic below 50 microns
with less than 20 per cent recycled content makes for single-use plastic.

Which products are made of single-use plastic?

The most common single-use plastics found are carry bags, plastic drinking bottles,
plastic bottle caps, food wrappers, plastic grocery bags, plastic sachets, plastic wrappers
for consumer goods, multi-layer packaging used for food packing (e.g. chips packets),
straws and stirrers, other types of plastic bags, and foam takeaway containers. Main
polymers used for producing single-use plastics are HDPE, LDPE, PET, PP, PS, and
EPS.

How big is the plastic industry?

Hiten Bheda, Chairman of the Environment Committee of the All India Plastic
Manufacturers Association, says India's plastic industry recorded an annual revenue
worth Rs 3.5-lakh crore in FY19. This was spread across 50,000 processing units, the
bulk of these being small and medium enterprises. It is one of the fastest-growing
industries in India as it sees its fortunes linked to the growth of every other industry.
These units, according to Bheda, consume around 22 million metric tonnes per annum
of plastic raw material, including recycled plastics (roughly about 8 million metric
tonnes recycled plastic). Besides, some part of the total raw plastic material is also
exported -- it was to the tune of around $4.5 billion in FY19, while the exports of
processed plastic products were at around $6.5 billion, says Bheda. On the share of
single-use plastics, he says, while the exact share of single-use plastics is difficult to
estimate, it could be less than 10 per cent of the total plastic processed by these 50,000
odd units.  

Which industries use single-use plastic?

FMCG companies; air conditioner, fridge and other consumer appliance manufacturers;
e-commerce; hospitality; and restaurants. Also, small retail shop owners and grocery
stores use single-use plastic for product delivery.
What are the alternatives to single-use plastic?
There are alternatives such as glass, paper and cardboard. But, they too leave a
significant impact on the environment. While paper means cutting trees, glass
leaves a significant carbon footprint and consumes a lot of power. Other
elements that need to be looked into are recycling rate, safety, weight,
transportability and affordability. Also, there are some products wherein there
is no clarity on the alternatives. For instance, many in the industry are not
aware of any direct alternative to BOPP films that has high transparency and
is considered a good barrier to moisture and is, therefore, used to cover a
product.
 WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
We produce roughly 300 million tons of plastic each year and half of it is
disposable! World-wide only 10-13% of plastic items are recycled. The nature of
petroleum based disposable plastic makes it difficult to recycle and they have to add
new virgin materials and chemicals to it to do so. Additionally there are a limited
number of items that recycled plastic can be used.

Petroleum based plastic is not biodegradable and usually goes into a landfill where it is
buried or it gets into the water and finds it’s way into the ocean. Although plastic will
not biodegrade (decompose into natural substance like soil,)  it will degrade (break
down) into tiny particles after many years. In the process of breaking down, it releases
toxic chemicals (additives that were used to shape and harden the plastic) which make
their way into our food and water supply.

These toxic chemicals are now being found in our bloodstream and the latest research
has found them to disrupt the Endocrine system which can cause cancer, infertility, birth
defects, impaired immunity and many other ailments.

We produce hundreds of millions of tons of plastic every year,  most of which cannot be
recycled. It’s obvious that we need to use less plastic, move towards environmentally
sustainable products and services and come up with technology that recycles plastic
more efficiently. 
Industry’s concerns
The worst form of single-use plastics is the multi-layered packaging used in sachets for

packing and storing tobacco products such as gutkha. Many other eatables like chocolates,

biscuits, chips and liquid food products are packed in them.

Reportedly, after Modi’s call on August 15, this industry had raised a major objection,

saying that in the absence of any imminent alternative, their sales might drop sharply.

More importantly, industry bodies like the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (FICCI) had raised major concerns. 

A ban on single-use plastics would have multi-factoral effects on industry, a study by FICCI

had said. Such a ban would increase the price of most FMCG products as manufacturers

would try and shift to alternative packaging.

The study had said a ban would wipe out various low price point products (those that cost

less than Rs 5 such as shampoo sachets, detergent pouches, biscuit packets and others) as

production at these price points would become unviable.

Such price points play a significant role in allowing first-time consumers to

experience categories at an affordable price, and play a key role in serving the rural market.

FICCI had also said the Rs 53,000 crore plus segment of the plastic manufacturing industry

would be hit because of a ban, leading to job losses. Thirteen lakh personnel across 10,000

firms would immediately lose their jobs. The food processing industry would suffer from a

revenue loss of Rs 90,000 crore.

It is believed that after such adverse reactions, the government decided to be cautious and

instead of imposing a blanket ban, it decided to reiterate that India would phase out single-

use plastics.
significance of single use plastics
Most of us will get along just fine without throwaway plastic in our daily lives. But there
are nevertheless many legitimate applications for single-use plastics.

Take medicine, for example, where single-use plastics are a key part of infection control.
Having a blood test requires gloves made from plastic, a plastic syringe, and a plastic
vial, all of which are single-use to control contamination and infection. While glass is
often suggested as an alternative, this introduces challenges in cleaning, transport and
availability, particularly in emergency situations where resources may be limited.

Single-use plastics also play a role in scientific research. Many scientists cringe as they
look at their waste bin at the end of a session in the lab. Typically, it will be filled with
pipettes, gloves, vials, sample bags, and the list goes on.

These items are used for their strength and resilience, and because they prevent cross-
contamination of sampling. As with medical applications, many substitute materials do
not provide the protection or stability that single-use plastics do.

Single-use plastics are often used to package food and water. While this is unnecessary
in most settings, certain situations do require single-use packaging to ensure food and
water safety. Domestic food aid, emergency responses, and international aid efforts all
require food and water that can be stored without refrigeration and distributed when
and where it’s needed. Often this means packaging it in lightweight, single-use plastics.

While the proposed bans on single-use plastics should be recognised and applauded as
an important step forward in the global fight to prevent plastic pollution, we should
ensure that we have thought through all the scenarios where single-use plastic may be a
legitimate necessity.

Consider the case of someone with a disability who can only eat with the aid of a flexible
plastic straw. Without appropriate exemptions, a federal legislative ban on single-use
plastic straws could prevent people in need from accessing a basic medical aid.
 Consumers and businesses throughout the world benefit from a
variety of single-use plastics. Worldwide industry works to
increase the acceptance of all plastic products at all recycling
facilities across the country and continues to innovate to make it
easier to recycle them.
Why do we need single-use plastic in the first place?

 When food or other products are packaged in plastic, they are protected and
in the case of fresh goods, they remain fresher for longer.

 Keeping food from spoiling reduces food waste, which helps reduce the
strain in the planet’s resources and keeps costs down. This is partly why pre-
packaged goods are often cheaper than loose goods.

 Because plastic packaging is so good at protecting and preserving fresh

goods, it means we are able to eat a wide variety of fresh foods year-round
rather than seasonally, expanding the range of foods we can enjoy.

 Plastic packaging is extremely hygienic, keeping food and other products

insulated against any air-borne germs. It also prevents germs from being
spread by people handling goods intended for consumption.

 It is an extremely versatile material that in many cases is resealable and

helps present goods in convenient sizes, bundles or portions.

 As well as presenting the product in an attractive way, it helps convey key

information such as use-by dates, allergen information and recycling
information.

 It should also be remembered that single-use plastic such as blood bags and
syringes helps modern healthcare remain affordable for all and helps
provide a safe and hygienic environment in hospitals.

 Stringent regulations are in place to protect consumers of all ages.

Industies working towards ecofriendly production of
single use plastics
The people of this industry are creating new ways to address challenges by making it
more profitable to recycle a plastic product than it is to litter or landfill it. Examples
include:

 Trex: This decking company uses recycled grocery bags, bread bags, dry
cleaning bags and more to make environmentally responsible outdoor products.

 BD, one of the world’s largest medical device companies, manufactures a

number of products using a variety of recycled materials for its Recykleen™
brand. Brand Pledges: Some of the world’s largest companies have pledged to
eliminate the amount of waste they send to a landfill or to use more recycled
materials in their products and packaging, thereby creating a bigger market for
recycled content and incentivizing recyclers to expand their operations to collect
more material.

 Coca-Cola pledged to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle

or can it sells throughout the world by 2030.

 PepsiCo
 created a goal of designing all its packaging to be recyclable,
compostable or biodegradable, while increasing its use of recycled
materials and decreasing its packaging’s carbon impact.

 SC Johnson has set a goal to send zero manufacturing waste to landfill

from its factories by 2021, a process that will include increased reusing
and recycling.
  John Deere announced a pledge to recycle 75% of its total waste by 2018.

The Ford Motor Company set a five-year goal of reducing waste to landfill

by 40% per vehicle and continues to expand the use of recycled content in its vehicles,
particularly in the development of new upholstery fabrics

 Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050 committed the company toward

creating a recycling-based society through the use of eco-friendly
materials, the use of auto parts for longer, the development of recycling
technologies and the manufacture of new vehicles from end-of-life ones.

 Nissan set a target of increasing the usage rate for recycled materials per
new vehicles by 25% in Japan, the U.S. and Europe.

 At its stores, ANN INC. provides shopping bags made with between 40%
and 80% post-consumer waste.

 Clorox set a goal to have 10 zero-waste-to-landfill manufacturing sites by

2020

 Unilever has committed to making 100% of its plastic packaging

recyclable by 2025.

 Walmart announced that by 2025, 100% of its packaging for its private-

brand products would be recyclable.

 By 2025, L’Oréal’s plastic packaging will all be rechargeable, refillable,

recyclable or compostable.

 Through its Demand Champions program, the Association of Plastic

Recyclers has secured commitments from a number of companies
throughout the plastics supply chain to purchase more post-consumer
recycled material. The list includes brand owners—such as Campbell’s,
Coca-Cola, Keurig, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and Target—as well as
 plastics companies—such as Berry Global, Champion Polymer Recycling,
Clean Tech Incorporated, Denton Plastics, Envision Plastics, KW Plastics,
Merlin Plastics and Plastipak.
 McDonald’s pledged that its product packaging would come from
renewable, recycled or certified sources by 2025.

 Ecover, a company that makes environmentally friendly cleaning products,

said all its bottles would be made with 100% recycled plastic by 2020.

 Packaging company Amcor pledged to make all its product packaging

recyclable or reusable by 2025.

 The Danone water bottles used by the Evian brand will be made with

100% recycled plastic by 2025.

It’s paramount to dispose of single-use plastics properly. Every person who selects
single-use products has the obligation to make sure these items are recycled or
disposed of in a trash can and kept out of the environment. The industry is working to
expand our nation’s waste management infrastructure in order to increase access to
recycling and to energy recovery technologies. When recycled or converted into energy,
these items can continue to make a positive impact on our lives, extending their life and
their value beyond a single use.
 WHY SINGLE USE PLASTICS CAN”T BE RECYCLED

• Single use plastic troublesome example as they contain

pigments that make packaging harder to detect by sorting
technology.
• Mixed materials are those that have different types of material
in the same product. For instance, a plastic bag with a foil
lining or a disposable coffee cup made of paper with a plastic
lining. These are especially difficult and expensive to separate.
They are considered in many cases contaminated
and worthless.
• Recyclable materials might be in contact with radioactive
materials
• The recycling requires plastics to be of nearly identical
composition to mix efficiently
• Widespread use of dyes, fillers, and other additives in plastics
makes recycling difficult
• Impossible to recycle at 100%
• Hence There is need to reuse single-use plastics.
Ways to reuse single-use plastics
• As freezer bags

If you already buy frozen fruits and veggies that come in resealable bags,
there’s no point to buying new freezer bags. Just wash out the frozen produce
bags and re-use them. (Big 2-kg bags like the one above are especially handy, and
can fit a whole loaf of bread—one Chatelaine staffer takes them to her local
bakery to catch sliced loaves, sans bag.) You might not be able to see inside, but
with a little bit of labeling, those bags can go a long way.

• As garbage bags

It’s pretty common to use larger plastic grocery bags to take out garbage.
Hopefully you’ve made the switch to reusable grocery bags already, but even
then, there are still so many other unavoidable plastic bags that inevitably pop up.
For example, in eastern Canada, the litre-sized bags used for milk aren’t
recyclable everywhere, and most of them will inevitably end up in a landfill. Don’t
overlook those—use plastic bread bags, milk bags, or those flimsy produce bags
(which are also sometimes difficult to recycle) for anything from scooping up dog
poo to lining compost bins.

• As food storage

Those yogurt tubs and margarine containers won’t work as a microwaveable

lunch container, but you can still use them to keep your kitchen tidy. Pop in
various bulk foods to stack on the counter or use them to refrigerate leftovers or
to bring them to work for lunch (just pour food into a bowl to microwave). If
you’re uncomfortable storing food in plastic, they’re great for keeping loose
household items too, like batteries.

• As produce bags

While there are cute reusable cloth produce bags out on the market, it’s a
good idea to start out by reusing plastic produce bags (provided they don’t rip on
you) and see if you actually remember to bring them back to the store.
 There are also a number of easy ways for YOU to start
reducing your use of single-use plastic TODAY. Check out
these tips & ideas:
1. REDUCE – Choose to avoid single use items. “Just say NO to
plastic straws.”  Support regional strategies and/or bans on single
use items.

2. REUSE – Choose to bring your own coffee cup or shopping

bag. “Just say NO to plastic grocery bags and disposable cups.”

3. RETHINK – Choose the environment and our future over

convenience.
CONCLUSION
It's impossible to eliminate most plastic from daily life, but it's
prudent for our health and that of our environment to curb the use
of some.

Overall reduction in plastic usage, proper management for

disposal and public awareness would bring a great difference in
present situation. Separate .. Store..and hand over for proper
recycling or disposal. Do not let plastic litter the environment.

"Stop the Plastic Pollution, Be Part of the Solution"

SAVE EARTH!!!!