ALTERNATIVE TO PLASTIC WASTE GENERATION

AND REUSE

Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material that use polymers like

polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polypropylene
(PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),and polystyrene (PS) as main ingredient.
These are versatile, lightweight, flexible and highly durable in nature
and hence are seen in our everyday life in the form of containers, bottles,
drums, trays, boxes, cups, and packaging.

But nowadays plastic is a major cause of pollution and is adversely

affecting the flora, fauna and their habitat of this world. The chemical
nature of plastic makes them resistant to natural process of degradation
leading to slow degradation and hence they end up in landfills and
release toxic substances into surrounding environment. Thus plastic
pollution refers to the accumulation of plastic materials and particles like
Plastic bottles and micro beads in the environment. This is leading to
harmful effects on land, water, wildlife and also on human health.
Thus it is necessary to reduce this plastic pollution by following
techniques of reuse, recycle and by using alternatives for plastic.
Reuse:
Plastic reuse refers to usage of single plastic material for multiple times
either for some or different purpose. For example, after the usage of
plastic water bottle that was used for storing water can now also be used
for decoration purpose.

Plastic reuse helps for: Potential cost reduction, User experience, Strong
customer relationships, and Low emissions of plastic.
Sustainable alternatives to plastic:
By using plastic substituent we can avoid plastic usage. For example,
instead of using plastic containers we can use steel containers and hence
reducing the manufactory and pollution caused by it.
Eco friendly containers made of sugarcane which are tolerant to high
temperature, durable, water proof, freeze safe and high insulation
properties.
Bamboo products are biodegradable, long lasting and are simple to
cultivate. They can be used as makeup removal wipes, toothbrush etc.
When tires reach the end of their life, rather than throwing away they
can be recycled into products such as wallets, rubber planters, laptop
bags, footwear etc.

Usage of glass bottles and containers helps to reduce plastic pollution

because production of glass from recycled glass can create fifty percent
less water pollution and twenty percent less air pollution than plastic
recycling.
Cow dung can also be used as plastic substituent in the form of bangle
boxes, gift boxes and cardboard, it is naturally occurring and eco
friendly.
Jute and repurposed cloth can be used instead of plastic bags and
carriers. They are eco friendly, long lasting and reusable.
Wood is a biopolymer which is also known as bio plastic has its
appearance and functionality similar to conventional plastic and can be
used in the form of neem wood comb and wooden copper bottle .
As the word says nothing in this world is perfect and flawless even
though we have so many substitutes of plastic, they are not as
comfortable as plastic products but to change and improve some
situation first we have take a stand.

By :
Kari Tulasi
RVCE22BBT050