Plastic Recycling Debate: Weighing the Pros and Cons

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Plastic Recycling Debate Weighing the Pros and
Cons In 1996, a controversial article by John
Tierney claimed that recycling was a wasteful
activity, costing taxpayers more money than
disposing of garbage. Environmental groups
disputed this and highlighted the benefits of
recycling, including reducing pollution and the
use of virgin resources, decreasing the amount
of garbage and the need for landfill space, and
being cost-effective. However, in 2002, New York
City found that its recycling program was losing
money and eliminated glass and plastic
recycling. But as private out-of-state landfills
raised prices, the benefits of recycling glass
and plastic increased, and the city reinstated
the recycling program with a more efficient
system. While early recycling programs may have
been wasteful due to bureaucratic overhead,
cities have gained experience and recycling
should cost less than garbage disposal. India
is one of the largest consumers of plastic in the
world, with an annual consumption of over 14
million tonnes. However, according to a report by
the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), only
60 of this plastic waste is collected, and only
15 is recycled. The majority of the remaining
waste ends up in landfills, rivers, and oceans,
leading to significant environmental pollution.
Therefore, recycling has become a widely
discussed topic in India due to its potential
environmental benefits. The country is facing
numerous environmental challenges, and recycling
is seen as a possible solution to address some of
these challenges. The question is, is it worth
it? To determine this we must dive into the
different aspects of recycling.
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Plastic recycling process The plastic recycling
process in India involves several stages,
including collection, sorting, cleaning, and
reprocessing. However, the process in India is
often informal and unorganised, with many
small-scale recyclers operating without proper
infrastructure or equipment. Costs of plastic
recycling In India, the cost of recycling
plastic is often higher than the cost of
landfilling or incineration due to the lack of
infrastructure and technology. Furthermore, the
low quality of plastic waste collected in India
makes it difficult to recycle, resulting in
additional costs. The high cost of plastic
recycling and the lack of proper infrastructure
are significant challenges in India. However,
the benefits far outweigh the costs. Environmenta
l benefits The primary benefit of plastic
recycling in India is the reduction of
environmental pollution. Recycling plastic waste
reduces the amount of plastic that ends up in
landfills, rivers, and oceans, reducing
environmental pollution. Plastic waste in India
is responsible for damaging the environment and
affecting human health. Recycling plastic waste
can help mitigate these issues. Resource
conservation Recycling plastic waste also
conserves natural resources such as oil, which is
a primary raw material used to manufacture
plastic. India is heavily dependent on imported
oil, and recycling plastic waste can help reduce
this dependency. Recycling one ton of plastic
waste can save up to 3.8 barrels of oil, reducing
the country's dependence on oil
imports. Economic benefits Plastic recycling
can also generate economic benefits, such as job
creation and revenue generation. In India, the
informal recycling sector provides employment to
millions of people. According to a report by the
Indian Centre for Plastic in the Environment, the
plastic recycling industry in India generated
around 2.5 billion in revenue in 2019. Social
benefits Plastic recycling also has social
benefits, such as increasing public awareness
about waste management and promoting sustainable
behavior. Recycling plastic waste can provide
opportunities for community engagement and
education, leading to a more informed and
environmentally conscious society. In
conclusion, the benefits of plastic recycling
outweigh the costs in the Indian context.
Although the cost of plastic recycling in India
is higher than the cost of landfilling or
incineration, the long- term benefits of
recycling, including reduced environmental
pollution, conservation of natural
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resources, economic benefits, and social
benefits, make it a worthwhile investment. The
government and private sector should invest in
improving the infrastructure and technology for
plastic recycling in India to make it more
efficient and cost-effective. This investment
will help mitigate the environmental challenges
the country is currently facing and contribute to
a sustainable future for all. Although recycling
has many advantages compared to simply throwing
away waste, it is crucial for individuals to
prioritise "reduce and reuse" strategies before
resorting to recycling as an environmentally-frie
ndly waste management option.