GUWAHATI, Feb 2 � Generation of plastic waste in Assam has trebled in the past one decade even as the State struggles to put in place a scientific waste disposal mechanism.
According to a study done by the environmental group ENVIRON in 2014, waste generated in the State is around 1,48,000 kg/day; 44,40,000 kg/month and 540, 20,000 kg/year. State capital Guwahati alone generates plastic waste 22,000kg/day; 6, 60,000 kg/month and 80, 30,000 kg/month.
Ten years back (2004), a similar study by ENVIRON had estimated the daily generated plastic waste of Assam at 50,000kg/day; 15,00,000kg/month and 1, 80,00000kg/year. Guwahati alone produced was 5,000kg/day; 1,50,000kg/month and 18,00000kg/year.
Dr Amarjyoti Kashyap, waste management consultant and president of ENVIRON, said that the developments were alarming and unless the waste was scientifically disposed, it would lead to an unmanageable situation.
�As per our study, along with the thermo-set plastics all the multilayered and laminated thermoplastics are non-recyclable whereas all the single component of thermoplastics like PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene), PP (Polypropylene), PS (Polystyrene) etc., are recyclable,� Dr Kashyap said.
The ENVIRON study reveals that at the present scenario out of the total generated plastic waste, 60 per cent plastics are recyclable whereas 40 per cent are non-recyclable plastics.
