Ramakrishna Ganesh, Founder of Plog Run and 7 Trees for Life, explains how plastic recycling helps reduce pollution and save natural resources. It turns waste into useful products, keeping the environment cleaner. In India, though we lag behind many countries in this factor, more and more cities are coming forward to set up recycling plants and ban single-use plastics. People are also being encouraged to reuse and recycle plastic to build a cleaner, greener nation.
Our Plog Run is a concept where we pick up trash and plastic while jogging to keep the neighbourhood clean, and also to educate people not to throw trash. We all know that plastic pollution is creating havoc in our environment and climate. So, as a community and as part of this world, we should take immediate steps to not pollute the planet. On average, the world produces about 416 million tons of plastic every year, which is increasing every day. Plastic has become an integral part of our lives. But we also should know how to recycle them and prevent the use of single-use plastic. Only 9% of the plastic is being recycled all over the world, and the rest goes to the landfill. As a result, all the living beings will have to live with plastic on the earth. Of course, plastic is a great material that can be reused many times without any damage to it. But the problem starts when we abuse it and allow it to pollute the earth. The single-use plastic ultimately ends up in a landfill or the ocean, water it is consumed by the animals and fish. Whatever plastic we are discarding comes back to us as minute particles in the food. As individuals, it is our prime duty to stop the usage of single-use plastic.
Even with so many technological advancements, plastic recycling has not been initiated in many countries. In cities like Bangalore, people mindlessly throw plastic on the roads. All of us have to join hands with the government in ensuring that plastic waste is not thrown on the earth. We can see that San Francisco has achieved about an 80% recycling rate, and Germany has 65% by using the plastic waste in cement factory furnaces. Our goal should be to achieve this rate by 2030. South Korea is recycling almost 60% of the plastic waste generated by its people. The Waste to Energy Program in Sweden is one of the best initiatives. Only 1% goes to landfill, and the rest is used for energy production. India is way behind in this, but our huge population should play a huge role in helping the government’s efforts be effective.
As we all know, for our daily existence, we need water, oxygen, and food. Till some years ago, whenever we went on a long journey, we used to take plates, vessels, and spoons. But today we are so much used to single-use plastic that can be used and thrown away, that we carry plates, cups, and spoons that can be used once and then thrown away. Most of our picnic spots do not have a waste bin, and so everything is littered all over. We always have the option to carry the essentials. In case of an emergency, we can always buy a plastic water bottle, but disposing of it is what we need to think about. When we did the plog run, we had around 30 thousand people with us picking plastic waste, and the total collection was about 33 tons. We did a larger program in 2019, and our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Modiji also did a plog run for us in Chennai.
Adopting eco-friendly habits
We can carry our own water bottle, which is safe and hygienic. When we go shopping, most of us return with stuff in plastic bags. We need to carry a sustainable kit with us when we go out. In such a scenario, we avoid the use of plastic. The paper cup from which we drink our tea has a plastic coating. Paper cannot hold water, and so a thick coating of plastic is given inside the cups. So, it is better that we carry steel cups for our usage, which are hygienic and reusable by washing. All our household essentials, like milk and rice, and provisions, are packed in plastic bags only. Our elders used to buy things, put them in a bag, and bring them home to be filled in steel containers. The online culture today packs all the things in plastic covers only. The big question here is, how are we segregating this at home? There are recycling companies that buy the plastic and recycle it. But a lot of time is wasted in segregating the plastic waste. If we can clean and segregate the plastic waste from other trash, then it becomes easy to recycle it, and this has a great impact on the planet.
When we are experiencing very hot weather outside, the shady trees give us some respite from the heat. But when we litter plastic all around and it enters the soil, growing such shady trees becomes a problem. The life of insects that support the planet also becomes questionable. If at least 10% of the population changes themselves by carrying their own bags, plates, straw, and other essentials. , this will change the planet to be a better place for future generations. We can notice the climatic change in Bangalore, which was once considered the best place to live in. So, it is important for all of us to follow basic rules. We should plant 7 trees wherever possible. This is because the amount of air that each of us breathes and the water we consume comes to us from 7 trees. So it is important to grow as many trees as possible across the planet.
Promoting clean communities
The recycling garbage bags that we buy are non-recyclable. So it is important that we work on a more effective way of disposing of the garbage. We all live in apartments now, and we have an association as part of society. So we have to bring in some changes that will help in making the surroundings cleaner, greener, and more effective. We can implement such changes within our apartment complexes. We can also join hands with government-approved bodies for recycling the waste produced. We can ensure that the people living in the apartments do not throw the garbage on the side of the roads. As independent individuals, we can take all these actions, ensure we do not use single-use plastics, and we need to educate other people about it. The student community can be trained to prevent such mindless usage of plastic by the public, as most people do it just because others do it. In Bangalore, a few companies like Hasirudala have started doing a great job of recycling the waste to the maximum extent possible. Now, it is up to us, the citizens, to come forward in not use single-use plastic, not litter it around, and help in recycling the plastic. We should know, whatever cups or tetra packs we buy, do contain a lot of plastic. It is not easy to segregate them, as some of the materials are non-recyclable. They should go to cement factories to be burnt and used to make cement. The government has made strict rules that no gases should be emitted in this process. We have to make the initiatives effective to make a greener and cleaner planet for us to live on.
Environmental impacts of plastic disposal
We see that water bottles and chip packets made of plastic are dumped on the roadside, almost in heaps. We hear and see that whenever there is heavy rain, many places are flooded. It is because the plastic obstructs the points where the water should go smoothly. So there is water flooding in many places. We have also seen that animals eat plastic covers in which they find some food. This is a threat to the environment and wildlife on the planet. When we throw more plastic on the soil, growing trees becomes difficult. The environment can be saved if we learn how to dispose of and manage the waste.
Banning single-use plastic will have a major impact on the climate and environment of the planet. A single-use water bottle cannot be used again, but it has to be recycled. There are a few companies that make shows out of these recyclable plastics. The covers that cannot be recycled do cause a dent in the planet. We should learn to cut the milk cover properly. In earlier days, people could recycle the milk sachets, but we did not cut them completely, nor are we able to recycle them. If single-use plastic can be stopped for used, it will have a great effect on the environment.
Know your plastics
When we buy a bag of rice, it is usually packed in a plastic cover. After opening it, we throw it. Some of these are not recyclable, but when it is clean, they can go to recycling agencies. When we buy a plastic cover, the grades printed on it matter. If it has a point. Two microns cannot be recycled. But if we can segregate it, the agencies pick the non-recyclable ones to be sent to cement factories to be burnt. This is one way of handling the waste. In organic shops, we need to carry our own bags or boxes to refill, and this is the method our earlier generations used to do. We also should start following it.
When we buy plastic bottles, covers, or tetra packs, they go into recycling. Our online purchases are usually wrapped in recyclable plastic, but some may not be recyclable. We can observe the microns in the plastics. This was part of the 2018 campaign by us. Saha’s Foundation did this and gave us a detailed report on the type of plastics and how they are recycled. Any single-use plastic that goes back to the same plastic product is highly toxic, as it cannot be recycled and needs to be discarded. When we reuse it, because of the nature of the plastic, it is highly dangerous.
These materials are usually used again and called SCF (Segregated Combustible Fractions). The tissue papers, plastic milk packets are street waste plastic, which has a dangerous impact. These plastics cannot be recycled as their size is too small. They are sent to coprocessing units. The thinnest plastic that we use is in the food containers and other places. There are different types of plastics available now.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
It is not advisable to keep the food wrapped in plastic as it does not protect it. It, of course, protects from dust and keeps the food warm, but we have other natural ways of preserving and keeping food warm. Our earlier generations did not have plastic. All these have come only recently for our convenience. But it is not advisable to use plastic wrappers for food and keep them for longer periods. Before the plastic starts releasing the chemicals into the food, we should use the food. We can use other methods to keep food fresher and warmer.
Not all plastics are waste. It is the single-use plastic that should be avoided, though they are useful for the moment. There are lots of alternatives available that are not expensive. It is just the mindset that needs to be changed. Instead of getting a plastic bag for buying vegetables, we can carry a cloth bag that can be used for many more years, which saves money for us than when we keep buying plastic bags each time. We should try and recycle existing stuff. Plastic that has smaller microns and single-use ones should be banned. When we stop using this plastic, it will be automatically banned.
The best and basic method is carrying our own stuff like bags and plates. We can use them for a longer time. We should start this at the community level first, and there will be a huge change among the people. Milk packets are recycled. We used to sell the milk packets to the milkman who recycles them. When we cut the small piece and put it in the packet itself, it will go for recycling. We just need to learn to make some extra effort to hold it and pour the milk without any leakage.
Recently, Adidas made a shoe out of plastic bottles collected from the ocean and recycled. It was sold for Rs. 25 thousand. 8 plastic bottles can get us one T-shirt. Many companies have started doing it. The recycling agencies are working towards recycling every product that we discard. It does boost the economy. Recycling and waste management are big industries now because of the value they bring to the market - the economic value and making the planet greener. Every product can be recycled and sold somewhere, thus boosting the economy. This is how the circular economy works. Every product gets recycled and comes back to us in a different form.
Non-biodegradable plastic concerns
It is very difficult to segregate the wet plastic. It is a tedious process. Any plastic waste that we discard is taken by the recycling company, washed again, and then sent for recycling. Food waste is another problem in this sector. If we can rinse it and throw it, it becomes easy for the recycling agency to do a better job. Otherwise, cleaning the waste becomes a time-consuming and tedious process.
No plastic is biodegradable. What they call biodegradable is made out of some other natural elements. In Karnataka, they use Adike ele plates. It takes almost 500 years for plastic to break small and biodegrade. That is why we do not advise you to use plastic because by the time it becomes small, it would have gotten mixed up in the food or ocean or water, which we consume again.
Contact details
Ramakrishna Ganesh
Founder of Plog Run and 7 Trees for Life
Mob: 63662 24466
Email: Ram64453@gmail.com
Our Plog Run is a concept where we pick up trash and plastic while jogging to keep the neighbourhood clean, and also to educate people not to throw trash. We all know that plastic pollution is creating havoc in our environment and climate. So, as a community and as part of this world, we should take immediate steps to not pollute the planet. On average, the world produces about 416 million tons of plastic every year, which is increasing every day. Plastic has become an integral part of our lives. But we also should know how to recycle them and prevent the use of single-use plastic. Only 9% of the plastic is being recycled all over the world, and the rest goes to the landfill. As a result, all the living beings will have to live with plastic on the earth. Of course, plastic is a great material that can be reused many times without any damage to it. But the problem starts when we abuse it and allow it to pollute the earth. The single-use plastic ultimately ends up in a landfill or the ocean, water it is consumed by the animals and fish. Whatever plastic we are discarding comes back to us as minute particles in the food. As individuals, it is our prime duty to stop the usage of single-use plastic.
Even with so many technological advancements, plastic recycling has not been initiated in many countries. In cities like Bangalore, people mindlessly throw plastic on the roads. All of us have to join hands with the government in ensuring that plastic waste is not thrown on the earth. We can see that San Francisco has achieved about an 80% recycling rate, and Germany has 65% by using the plastic waste in cement factory furnaces. Our goal should be to achieve this rate by 2030. South Korea is recycling almost 60% of the plastic waste generated by its people. The Waste to Energy Program in Sweden is one of the best initiatives. Only 1% goes to landfill, and the rest is used for energy production. India is way behind in this, but our huge population should play a huge role in helping the government’s efforts be effective.
As we all know, for our daily existence, we need water, oxygen, and food. Till some years ago, whenever we went on a long journey, we used to take plates, vessels, and spoons. But today we are so much used to single-use plastic that can be used and thrown away, that we carry plates, cups, and spoons that can be used once and then thrown away. Most of our picnic spots do not have a waste bin, and so everything is littered all over. We always have the option to carry the essentials. In case of an emergency, we can always buy a plastic water bottle, but disposing of it is what we need to think about. When we did the plog run, we had around 30 thousand people with us picking plastic waste, and the total collection was about 33 tons. We did a larger program in 2019, and our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Modiji also did a plog run for us in Chennai.
Adopting eco-friendly habits
We can carry our own water bottle, which is safe and hygienic. When we go shopping, most of us return with stuff in plastic bags. We need to carry a sustainable kit with us when we go out. In such a scenario, we avoid the use of plastic. The paper cup from which we drink our tea has a plastic coating. Paper cannot hold water, and so a thick coating of plastic is given inside the cups. So, it is better that we carry steel cups for our usage, which are hygienic and reusable by washing. All our household essentials, like milk and rice, and provisions, are packed in plastic bags only. Our elders used to buy things, put them in a bag, and bring them home to be filled in steel containers. The online culture today packs all the things in plastic covers only. The big question here is, how are we segregating this at home? There are recycling companies that buy the plastic and recycle it. But a lot of time is wasted in segregating the plastic waste. If we can clean and segregate the plastic waste from other trash, then it becomes easy to recycle it, and this has a great impact on the planet.
When we are experiencing very hot weather outside, the shady trees give us some respite from the heat. But when we litter plastic all around and it enters the soil, growing such shady trees becomes a problem. The life of insects that support the planet also becomes questionable. If at least 10% of the population changes themselves by carrying their own bags, plates, straw, and other essentials. , this will change the planet to be a better place for future generations. We can notice the climatic change in Bangalore, which was once considered the best place to live in. So, it is important for all of us to follow basic rules. We should plant 7 trees wherever possible. This is because the amount of air that each of us breathes and the water we consume comes to us from 7 trees. So it is important to grow as many trees as possible across the planet.
Promoting clean communities
The recycling garbage bags that we buy are non-recyclable. So it is important that we work on a more effective way of disposing of the garbage. We all live in apartments now, and we have an association as part of society. So we have to bring in some changes that will help in making the surroundings cleaner, greener, and more effective. We can implement such changes within our apartment complexes. We can also join hands with government-approved bodies for recycling the waste produced. We can ensure that the people living in the apartments do not throw the garbage on the side of the roads. As independent individuals, we can take all these actions, ensure we do not use single-use plastics, and we need to educate other people about it. The student community can be trained to prevent such mindless usage of plastic by the public, as most people do it just because others do it. In Bangalore, a few companies like Hasirudala have started doing a great job of recycling the waste to the maximum extent possible. Now, it is up to us, the citizens, to come forward in not use single-use plastic, not litter it around, and help in recycling the plastic. We should know, whatever cups or tetra packs we buy, do contain a lot of plastic. It is not easy to segregate them, as some of the materials are non-recyclable. They should go to cement factories to be burnt and used to make cement. The government has made strict rules that no gases should be emitted in this process. We have to make the initiatives effective to make a greener and cleaner planet for us to live on.
Environmental impacts of plastic disposal
We see that water bottles and chip packets made of plastic are dumped on the roadside, almost in heaps. We hear and see that whenever there is heavy rain, many places are flooded. It is because the plastic obstructs the points where the water should go smoothly. So there is water flooding in many places. We have also seen that animals eat plastic covers in which they find some food. This is a threat to the environment and wildlife on the planet. When we throw more plastic on the soil, growing trees becomes difficult. The environment can be saved if we learn how to dispose of and manage the waste.
Banning single-use plastic will have a major impact on the climate and environment of the planet. A single-use water bottle cannot be used again, but it has to be recycled. There are a few companies that make shows out of these recyclable plastics. The covers that cannot be recycled do cause a dent in the planet. We should learn to cut the milk cover properly. In earlier days, people could recycle the milk sachets, but we did not cut them completely, nor are we able to recycle them. If single-use plastic can be stopped for used, it will have a great effect on the environment.
Know your plastics
When we buy a bag of rice, it is usually packed in a plastic cover. After opening it, we throw it. Some of these are not recyclable, but when it is clean, they can go to recycling agencies. When we buy a plastic cover, the grades printed on it matter. If it has a point. Two microns cannot be recycled. But if we can segregate it, the agencies pick the non-recyclable ones to be sent to cement factories to be burnt. This is one way of handling the waste. In organic shops, we need to carry our own bags or boxes to refill, and this is the method our earlier generations used to do. We also should start following it.
When we buy plastic bottles, covers, or tetra packs, they go into recycling. Our online purchases are usually wrapped in recyclable plastic, but some may not be recyclable. We can observe the microns in the plastics. This was part of the 2018 campaign by us. Saha’s Foundation did this and gave us a detailed report on the type of plastics and how they are recycled. Any single-use plastic that goes back to the same plastic product is highly toxic, as it cannot be recycled and needs to be discarded. When we reuse it, because of the nature of the plastic, it is highly dangerous.
These materials are usually used again and called SCF (Segregated Combustible Fractions). The tissue papers, plastic milk packets are street waste plastic, which has a dangerous impact. These plastics cannot be recycled as their size is too small. They are sent to coprocessing units. The thinnest plastic that we use is in the food containers and other places. There are different types of plastics available now.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
It is not advisable to keep the food wrapped in plastic as it does not protect it. It, of course, protects from dust and keeps the food warm, but we have other natural ways of preserving and keeping food warm. Our earlier generations did not have plastic. All these have come only recently for our convenience. But it is not advisable to use plastic wrappers for food and keep them for longer periods. Before the plastic starts releasing the chemicals into the food, we should use the food. We can use other methods to keep food fresher and warmer.
Not all plastics are waste. It is the single-use plastic that should be avoided, though they are useful for the moment. There are lots of alternatives available that are not expensive. It is just the mindset that needs to be changed. Instead of getting a plastic bag for buying vegetables, we can carry a cloth bag that can be used for many more years, which saves money for us than when we keep buying plastic bags each time. We should try and recycle existing stuff. Plastic that has smaller microns and single-use ones should be banned. When we stop using this plastic, it will be automatically banned.
The best and basic method is carrying our own stuff like bags and plates. We can use them for a longer time. We should start this at the community level first, and there will be a huge change among the people. Milk packets are recycled. We used to sell the milk packets to the milkman who recycles them. When we cut the small piece and put it in the packet itself, it will go for recycling. We just need to learn to make some extra effort to hold it and pour the milk without any leakage.
Recently, Adidas made a shoe out of plastic bottles collected from the ocean and recycled. It was sold for Rs. 25 thousand. 8 plastic bottles can get us one T-shirt. Many companies have started doing it. The recycling agencies are working towards recycling every product that we discard. It does boost the economy. Recycling and waste management are big industries now because of the value they bring to the market - the economic value and making the planet greener. Every product can be recycled and sold somewhere, thus boosting the economy. This is how the circular economy works. Every product gets recycled and comes back to us in a different form.
Non-biodegradable plastic concerns
It is very difficult to segregate the wet plastic. It is a tedious process. Any plastic waste that we discard is taken by the recycling company, washed again, and then sent for recycling. Food waste is another problem in this sector. If we can rinse it and throw it, it becomes easy for the recycling agency to do a better job. Otherwise, cleaning the waste becomes a time-consuming and tedious process.
No plastic is biodegradable. What they call biodegradable is made out of some other natural elements. In Karnataka, they use Adike ele plates. It takes almost 500 years for plastic to break small and biodegrade. That is why we do not advise you to use plastic because by the time it becomes small, it would have gotten mixed up in the food or ocean or water, which we consume again.
Contact details
Ramakrishna Ganesh
Founder of Plog Run and 7 Trees for Life
Mob: 63662 24466
Email: Ram64453@gmail.com