TEAM  HERALD 

PANJIM:  Goa  is   severely choking   from   generation of a huge quantity of plastic   waste,  according to a  recent   study by  the  Goa  State   Pollution  Control   Board. 

The total plastic waste generated in urban areas is about 20 metric  tons  a day  for  an  urban  population in Goa  of  49.8  per  cent.

The  cities  of  Panjim and  Margao  generate  as  much  as 5  metric  tons  of  plastic  waste  a  day. This  is  followed  by   Mormugao  generating  4.5  metric  tons  and Mapusa   with 2.4 metric  tons of  plastic  waste.

The plastic waste generated from rural areas is also expected to be the same   of  20  metric  tons  a day. 

Not  only locals,  but  tourists   and  the industry  are  responsible  for  generating the  same,  opines  the  report.

Even though   efforts  are  being made to   collect   and bail the  waste,   the  report  says  that     disposal  is  not  being carried  out in a  scientific  manner.

It  points  out  that  rag pickers  and scrap  dealers  pick only   what  is  economically   viable  and the  rest  just  gets accumulated  at  dumping  grounds. 

The  plastic  bottle  industry  which  is   responsible  for  adding  to the  waste  must    also  be  made  to  take back its  waste.  

The study further discloses  that  the  quantity  of plastic waste generated is much more than the quantity of plastic waste recycled.  Out of 197 plastic manufacturing units, only 22 units are recycling units, the  report  points  out. 

It  also proposes  incentives to the recycling industry to upgrade its  practices.  The  report   suggests   awareness  and  enforcement  against  littering   and  providing  alternatives    such  as  cloth  and  paper to  discourage  use  of  plastic. “The  Goa  State  Pollution  Control  Board  has    adopted  this  report   and   is   working  out  modalities   to   help  reduce plastic  waste,”  said  a  highly  placed official   of  the  board.

The  report  was    prepared  by  GSPCB   following  directions   from the  central   board  seeking the  status  of   the  plastic  waste  problems and  possible solutions  to  reduce the  menace.