Promoting waste recycling, PET Packaging Association for Clean Environment (PACE) on Monday urged the people to always segregate recyclable waste from the general waste, as reusing it after recycling can contribute to India's economic growth.
The Association said India can accomplish its waste management goals only if the citizens are aware how to dispose of waste by knowing what is recyclable and what is general waste.
"On this World Environment Day, we need to pause and give a serious thought to the menace of littering. If we are aware of how we need to dispose of waste and what can be recycled, we can make a meaningful contribution," said Vimal Kedia, President, PACE.
Stating there is a need to treat garbage as wealth so that new technologies on waste management can be used, Kedia said: "In case of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), there is a need to be more aware as PET is the most recycled plastic in the world. However, not many people are aware of it in India."
"A 100 per cent Swachh Bharat can become a reality only when each individual takes a pledge against littering and takes a firm stand on recycling," he added.
PET is a form of polyester (just like clothing fabric). It is extruded or moulded into plastic bottles and containers for packaging foods and beverages, personal care products and many other consumer products.
According to a study conducted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) - over 70 per cent of PET waste in India is recycled through organised sector alone. The actual recycling percentage is much higher when unorganised recyclers too are considered.
More From This Section
P.C. Joshi, Secretary General of PACE, said: "The association is engaging all stakeholders in our efforts to improve the recovery rate and end use application of the post-consumer PET bottles."
"We are also undertaking a research under Indian conditions on various aspects of the subject with centre of excellence to develop innovations to convert the post-consumer PET Bottles in valuable resource and integrating into circular economy minimising the environmental impact," added Joshi.
--IANS
rup/amit/rn