Page 110 - Final Magazine 2019-2020.cdr

Environmental Degradation: Plastic V/s. Paper

Ms. Asema Siddiqui, Mahararshtra College, Mumbai.

O Mankind! Where are we heading? We are the murderers and butchers of the faultless and
ever- giving Mother Nature.
Out of the 17 billion cubic feet of trees deforested each year, over 60% are used to make

paper. This deforestation is responsible for nearly a fth of the world's annual greenhouse gas
emissions. Of the emissions from different industries, pulp and paper industries have a
signicant effect on the environment. They produce nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide, and carbon
dioxide. Nitrogen and sulphur dioxides are key contributors in acid rain while carbon dioxide
is to blame for climate change being a greenhouse gas. Pulp and paper mills are sources of
nutrients, solids and dissolved matter like lignin in wastewater discharges. There are other
agents like alcohol or inorganic materials such as chlorates. These go ahead to pollute the
rivers and lakes that they are released into. (Source: www.worldatlas.com)

The paper making process has been criticised extensively by environmentalists since it
contributes to pollution. Paper making has an impact on the environment as it destroys trees in
the process. According to data from Global Forest Resource Assessment roughly 80,000 to
1,60,000 trees are cut down each day around the world with a signicant percentage being
used in the paper industry. (Source: www.capital.solutions.co.uk)

Gieve Patel personies trees in his famous poem 'On Killing a Tree'. He equates trees with
humans to convey that when trees are killed, they too undergo pain like humans do.
The earth and its environment have been mercilessly destroyed by humans for their desires. But
it's never too late to mend our ways. In our everyday lives we can take little steps to prevent
further damage. We can reduce the use of plastic by carrying reusable water bottles, reusable
coffee cups, reusable paper bags, say no to disposable plastic cutlery, buy milk in glass bottles
and more importantly avoid products containing polyethylene (P E), polypropylene (P P),
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polytetrauoroethylene

(PTFE) and nylon.
We can reduce the use of paper by using recycled paper to print documents and print on both
sides of the page. In ofces and at home we should only print documents that are essential.
Prioritize reusable containers to keep food, instead of paper packaging; opt out of paper
subscriptions; join local libraries; reduce the consumption of books by subscribing to a library;
switch to e-books and audio books. The smartphone can become an ally to reduce paper
waste. Rather than using post-its, notepads and other pieces of paper that will eventually

become waste, don't hesitate to take notes directly on the phone. Smartphones can help
reducing paper waste by avoiding printing train, show or concert tickets if we opt for the e-ticket
option. When shopping refuse paper receipts as much as possible. Make better use of paper

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember.
Involve me and I learn. ( Benjamin Franklin) 99
2019-20