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| Sunday, 23 June 2002 |
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We boast about our rich endemic bio-diversity and the unique natural wealth. But pause for a moment and think.... have we ever given a second thought to the health of this wealth. The careless disposal of non-biodegradable waste is one of the major environmental problems that is being experienced by many ecologically sensitive ecosystems in the Island. The Peak Wilderness Sanctuary area is one of them. A cleaning campaign carried out by the Eco Friendly Volunteers with the participation of the Sri Lanka Army, saw a load of polythene and plastic weighing more than 3 tons, being collected in just one day. This was along a single trail to the Sri Pada Peak and had been carelessly disposed by heartless and thoughtless pilgrim tourists. Accumulated polythene and plastic leads to soil degradation, blocks off springs and is a huge threat to wild animals. But do we pause to ponder the dangers of our action? Polythene and plastic are a popular wrapping and packing material due to many reasons. They are light, waterproof, easy to manipulation and don't cost the earth. It is also useful for people journeying to places like Sri Pada and Horton Plains, where heavy showers are more the norm along the long foot trail. One could be excused for thinking there is no better alternative to plastic. However, it is not really the use of polythene that has a disastrous consequence. But its' careless disposal. Polythene and plastic should not be dumped willy-nilly. Not even in a landfill. For these are non-biodegradable stuff. Moreover, they also contain hydrocarbons that, when burned release many toxic matters into the atmosphere. The gases are also highly carcinogenic. So if any burning is to be done, it should be carried out in a sophisticated incineration plant. But this is extremely costly and totally enviable in a developing country like Sri Lanka. Now you know why you shouldn't bury or burn plastic or polythene. So what can you do with stuff. There are 3 processes we can practice: Reduce the usage - You could use plastic and polythene only when we really need to and look for alternatives such as paper or other natural material like banana leaves. You can also request that your groceries be wrapped in paper. Reuse - This may help reduce the production of this environmental hazard. For instance if you use a polythene bag do not throw it away, but use it several times. Take a few pre-used bags with you when you do your marketing and refuse the loads of polythene bags given to you for each and every item you purchase. Have some separate bags for messy stuff like fish, wash them and reuse for the same purpose (you may find this bit difficult but once you really care about the environment you will enjoy it). Have a chat with the grocer and explain why you are refusing the bags he is giving free of charge and who knows you may find another environment friendly personality in him or if he is not, your preaching may result in forming an environmental friendly personality. Recycle - Polythene and plastic should be separated from other garbage so that they could be handed over to be recycled (there are several factories that recycle both plastic and polythene). Try to identify the products that are recyclable, for not all polythene and plastic can be recycled. If all of us could inculcate these practices to our life style, we will be effortlessly adopting an Environmental Friendly Culture, which eventually would lead us towards an Environmental Friendly Society. By Kanchana Weerakoon Ranasinghe ,President - Eco Friendly Volunteers |
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