Use of bio-degradable plastic promoted at Plastivision Arabia

Plastic is a natural product derived from hydrocarbons and is as natural as petrol or diesel, argues the All India Plastic Manufacturers Association (AIPMA), the co-organiser of Plastivision Arabia scheduled to be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from May 14 – 17, 2012.

“It is the misuse and specifically the littering of plastic which is unwarranted and harmful to the environment,” said Mr. Jayesh Rambhia, President of AIPMA. The AIPMA was making a case for putting an end to littering habits and working towards educating the public that plastics have a lower carbon footprint compared to other materials.
 
For example, plastic bags generate 39% less greenhouse gas emissions than un-composted paper bags; plastic bags consume less than 6%  of the water needed to make paper bags; plastic grocery bags consume 71% less energy during production than paper bags; and using paper sacks generates almost five times more solid waste than plastic bags.
 
“More than 90% of plastic bags or any plastic which is disposed of properly is recycled and will not harm the environment. Any plastic that does not recycle will find its ways to designated land fills where it will eventually bio-degraded, only if disposed properly,” he added.
 
Some argue that plastic helps the environment in several ways. After all, plastic has been used to make cars lighter. As a result, less oil is used to mobilize the cars and less CO2 is emitted. In addition, plastic containers provide safe ways for disposing of toxic waste products.
 
“In our society and communities, people litter the landscape with plastics. This not only creates an eyesore with plastic floating at beaches or flying in the desert, but also poses a serious risk to the environment,” said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah, the co-organiser of Plastivision Arabia. Mr. Al Midfa added that municipalities are doing their best in trying to curb this menace and the absence of awareness among the public is the main reason for such practices. The recent announcement of Sharjah Municipality to intensify imposing littering fine will go a long way in reducing littering and promoting recycling of plastic.

“Plastic is quite indispensable and there is no complete alternative for it,” said Eng. Mohamed Saleh Badri, Director General of the Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology (ESMA). With plastic being used in almost everything in the daily life, it is important to manage disposable plastics, especially in the wake of existing law on the use of oxo-biodegradable plastics across the UAE since the beginning of 2012.

Organised by Expo Centre Sharjah and the All India Plastic Manufacturers Association with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Plastivision Arabia will be held from 14-17 May 2012 at Expo Centre Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.