Page 59 - Plastics News April 2020

PLASTICS EXTEND LIFE

management, plastics was defamed.
Worldwide, plastics are approved to be safe for packing
food and pharmaceutical products for past 75 years.
Developed economies like the US, European Union and
Scandinavia use plastics without false fear.
Scene India
In India, we come from the agriculture economy and the
majority still live in rural areas. Before 2 - 3 generation,
most were living in villages close to nature. So, there was
loads of faith on natural products and suspicion on man-
made chemicals. Products made of natural materials are
considered safe without proof and plastics is guilty till
proved innocent on basis of baseless accusations.
Jayesh Khimji Rambhia
Co-chairman Environment Committee For example, the earthen pot or kulhadare considered
safe without any tests, as they have been used
he world is facing unprecedented threat in the form traditionally for generations. It was widely used at
Tof Coronavirus disease. To prevent spreading of railway platforms to serve tea. To facilitate breakage-
infection and saving lives, plastic products are at the free transport, these kulhads are baked and hence made
forefront. The masks currently being widely used are stronger. They are being reused frequently. Having a
made of non-woven plastic. Steriliser bottles are also rough surface, they cannot be washed hygienically
made of plastic. The hazardous material handling suits though.
protecting our healthcare workers are made of plastic as India started using chemical fertiliser, insecticide and
well.
pesticide since the past few decades. With rains, all
Many countries are reconsidering ban on single-use these chemicals enter the soil. Some of these pots are
plastic bags and bringing it back, as reusable bag tends painted with lead-based paints. It is very much possible
to harbor more microbes and no one wants to take any that the earthen pot has such pollutants which migrate
chances. into the water or hot tea served in them, and can
adversely impact public health.
Star bucks has stopped using reusable mugs and have
started on disposables again. As material source is inconsistent and the source is not
regulated, it is difficult to ensure consistent safe quality.
Now, people are suspicious of using reusable cutlery as These products are also not branded, so it is difficult to
disinfecting is not easy, consistent or verifiable. A single pin liability in case toxicity isfound in them. None of such
mistake can be life threatening. Disposables are making kulhads are being exported to advance economies.
a comeback.
Not heard anybody demand safety certificate for food
Plastic raw materials, food and pharmaceutical contact approval from the kulhad maker.
packaging products have been considered as essential
commodities; their production and transportation have India safely exports plastic products to over 150
been kept out of the nationwide compulsory lockdown. countries worldwide after regular testing and
The plastics sector also understands its responsibility to certification of food-contact approvals. Polymers are
serve humanity and against all difficulties, taking risk to made by technology which comes from transnational
self and staff, many factories are working day and night giants. There is traceability in the supply chain; so, in
to meet critical demand of the population in fight case of any issue, the responsible manufacturer can be
against the virus. penalised. Inspite of so much noise online and offline,
not any major producer has been penalised for making
When UN recommended the fight against plastics unsafe polymer.
pollution in 2018 and governments worldwide started
with the ban on single-use plastic products, its impact on Options are Not Real'
public health was not prioritised, as environment was at Even the narrow mouth copper bottles are difficult to
the forefront. Those images of plastics in the ocean and clean from inside and get corroded; this corrosion may
entangling animals made everyone angry and sad. not be safe for food contact.
Instead of banning littering, implementing waste
segregation at source and improving solid waste Aluminium is not food-contact approved. Aluminium

APRIL 2020 56 Plastics News