PLASTIC MENACE – A STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ELURU
V. Naga Lakshmi*, G. Srinivasa Rao and G. Jyothi
ABSTRACT
The non-degradable nature of plastic bags is posing a wide range of serious environmental and health deteriorations and hence are considered to be a big problem in waste management. This study was carried out to determine the popularity, usage, disposal and environmental impacts of plastic bags in Eluru city West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 500 randomly selected respondents. The results indicated that despite of age, gender and occupation most of the respondents 72% were using plastic bags for their groceries. About 26% of the respondents were using 20-30 bags per week and this is why 28% of the solid waste was composed of plastic waste. The study further revealed that the easily available 40% and low price 55% are responsible for such an extensive use of plastic bags in the study area. The most common impacts of plastic bags in Eluru identified in this study were blockage of sewage and drainage system leading to less durable road pavements 40%, human health problems 35% and animal deaths 11%. Use of plastic bags in the country and the existing burden of plastic should be managed in effective ways like these plastic waste may be recycled.
Keywords: Plastic waste management, sustainable development, plastic waste.
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