Waste-Plastic Roads
Dr. Ambika Behl (Pr. Scientist), Prof Satish Chandra (Director), CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, Delhi-Mathura Road, New Delhi
India generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, making it the 15th biggest plastic polluter globally. Discarded plastic waste litter the country’s roads, rivers and also form huge mounds in garbage dumps across the country. According to CPCB, of this 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste 94% is thermoplastic, or recyclable materials such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Yet, these materials can be recycled utmost 7-9 times, after which they have to be disposed off. Plastic accounts for 8% of the total solid waste generated in the country annually, with Delhi producing the biggest quantity, followed by Kolkata and Ahmedabad, said a 2018 report by the Delhi-based The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), citing data from India’s central pollution control board (CPCB). It is a common sight in India to find empty plastic bags and other type of plastic packing material littered on the roads and choking the drains. Due to its impermeability clubbed with non-biodegradability, it creates stagnation of water and associated hygiene problems besides reducing the fertility of the land. Waste plastic, mainly used for packing are made up of PE, PP, PS. In India almost 16.5 million tons of plastic is being consumed annually, in which 60% is recycled and remaining 40% is littering the environment. It is necessary to utilize the plastic waste effectively with technical development in each field.