Prescription For Planet Health: Tackling Plastic Pollution

Every year, World Environment Day celebrated on June 5th tries to encourage more individuals than ever before to act and end the increasing pollution burden on planet Earth. The theme for this year, "Beat Plastic Pollution," highlighting the propagation of plastic pollution awareness, an increasing menace degrading our plant. As medical professionals, we see the firsthand damage that this plastic pollution and lack of proper waste management inflict on individuals' overall well-being. While plastic use is required in institutions like hospitals to maintain cleanliness and safety, the actual issue lies with the uncontrolled and excessive plastic use in our daily lives.

Post the pandemic we saw a spike in the use of disposable plastic in the healthcare and allied sectors. While it was paramount for people to protect themselves there was no emphasis on proper disposal. Medical equipment, protective masks and disposable packaging continue to clutter our environment long after COVID-19 crisis has passed. Microplastics have now permeated every aspect of our planet. Most of the 3.5 million tonnes produced in India each year end up in the ocean, landfills and rivers and some of it even makes it into the air that we breathe. Various research has associated microplastics with several ailments such as infertility, upper respiratory problems, hormonal imbalance and potentially even cancer. What is concerning is that microplastics have not only been found in marine organisms but also in our bodies.

Individual responsibility is key to fighting plastic pollution. While the government may formulate several strategies to tackle the problem, individuals can contribute by segregating trash, avoiding single-use plastic and responsible living. Additionally, the use of eco-friendly materials such as glass for storage of food and cloth bags for shopping can make a difference. Affirmative action on the part of individuals, such as refusing plastic straws or reporting illegal dumping, can contribute to a larger movement toward environmental protection.

If we do not take urgent action, the future of our planet is bleak. According to experts, plastic pollution is expected to triple by 2060 and exceed 1.2 billion tonnes of non-degradable waste. India could see its annual plastic waste reach reach 11 million tonnes by the year 2035. If unchecked, by 2030 plastic in our oceans will weigh heavier than fish. This is a disaster not only for the environment but also for our kids who might end up inheriting a world without clean water, depleted seas and oceans, and food chains laced with poisons.

This World Environment Day, we call upon all citizens to recognize that minimizing plastic pollution is a matter of pressing necessity. Protection of our health, our ecosystems, and future generations is the need of the hour. We should try to make responsible decisions that denote concern, responsibility, and foresight. Each step towards reduction, reuse, and proper disposal counts. The future of our planet is in our hands.

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