The plastic industry has committed itself to minimize the impact of plastics on the environment. This was visible at Plastivision India 2013, India’s largest B2B gathering of the plastic industry and its stake holders. The five-day trade fair held from 12 to 16 December at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre tried to place a new emphasis on the message that recycling plastics is extremely relevant in the Indian context.
The event had a special focus on the issue of recycling plastics and a Green Pavilion to show how plastics can be environment friendly. The innovations on display included several options available in biodegradable plastics and its various applications. Biodegradable masterbatches were demonstrated as additives that can make plastics biodegradable. Putting strong emphasis on the need to enhance recycling capability and creating higher percentage of recycled products, the industry intends to put its heads together to find effective solutions to encourage the sustainable recycling of plastics.
Raju Desai, chairman of Plastivision 2013, said, “India needs to catch up upon its percentage of recycled plastics in its total consumption. Though we have substantial recycling capacity, the hurdle is the absence of sufficient infrastructure to collect plastic waste. For this, a better civic discipline is the first step that needs to be initiated. The government, the civic bodies and the plastic industry needs to work closely on this. People should stop littering plastic waste. Once this is achieved, every other solution will fall in its place automatically.”
Desai continued, “The industry is committed to see this succeed. We are willing to walk more than half the distance and join hands with anyone who shows any initiative. What will also work as a catalyst would be incentive schemes and favourable policies to encourage plastic recycling.” The fair showcased various innovations and technologies from the plastics industry. A dedicated section for solar energy was created to generate awareness about the optimum use of solar power in the plastic industry. The government has been encouraging the setting up of plastics parks in various states to help the growth of the plastics industry, which has been a key driving force for employment generation. The concerned ministry has already cleared two plastics parks, one in the state of Madhya Pradesh and one in Orissa and some funds have already been disbursed. Some more parks are under consideration to facilitate the growth of the plastics industry.
