Plastic, from boon to curse

LasTic has become an indispensable part of the modern way of life.

- ER. BIMAL KRUSHNA MISHRA

The annual per capita consumption of plastic in the world is 20.9 kg, and in India it is 5.3 kg. Due to its important physical properties like high flexibility, light weight, nil / very poor conductivity to electricity, immunity to water & chemical, very long durability, considerable heat resistance and above all its affordability, the products made of plastics are highly appreciated and accepted. Its use in our daily life includes bags, water bottles, pens, pencils, packing materials, brushes, furniture, clothes, phones, computers, cooking items, toys, various construction and building materials & machinery, electric wires, electronic printed circuit boards, feeding bottles, syringe, medical equipment and so on. With the advance technology enhancing the resistance to high temperature, the use of plastic in all the useful objects in and around us has become increasingly feasible and economically viable. Its production as a derivative from fossil fuels enhances its easy availability at affordable cost. Though light in weight, its resilience to both tensile and compressive stresses coupled with long life span compared to components made of metals or wood, makes it the most desirable ingredient to manufacture components in the transport sector. Its light weight reduces the vehicle's self-weight making automobiles more and more fuel efficient and thereby dras