Say No to Plastic, Yes to the Environment

From June 5 to June 16, 1972, the United Nations organized the world’s first environmental conference in Stockholm, Sweden, in which 119 countries participated. This conference laid the foundation for celebrating Environment Day. The slogan of the conference was “Only One Earth”, and thus “World Environment Day” was born. Since then, World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5. This year’s theme is “Ending Plastic Pollution”. The aim of this theme is to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic. It highlights the seriousness of plastic pollution, which further intensifies three major environmental crises—climate change, loss of biodiversity, and pollution. Every year, an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems, severely impacting marine life and human health.

Plastic developed naturally from modified natural materials like natural rubber, nitrocellulose, collagen, galalith, etc. Around 1600 AD, the Mesoamerican civilization used natural rubber for making balls, bands, and sculptures. In 1856, Alexander Parkes in Birmingham, England, patented a plastic material. In the early 1900s, Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland created the first fully synthetic thermoset plastic using phenol and formaldehyde. After World War I, improvements in chemical technology led to the development of new forms of plastic, and mass production began around the 1940s and 1950s during World War II.

In 1941, employees of the Calico Printers’ Association in the UK are credited with discovering polyethylene terephthalate (PET), leading to the use of plastic bottles in Europe. While the world produced only about 2 million tonnes of plastic annually in 1950, this figure has increased 200-fold to 381 million tonnes per year today. In India, plastic production reached approximately 22 million tonnes annually by 2020.

According to the article “Save the Planet,” published by the author in the Indian Journal of Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, plastic originated from naturally modified substances such as natural rubber, nitrocellulose, collagen, and galalith. Despite being lightweight, a plastic bag can carry many times its own weight, making it highly useful. However, plastic continues to release toxic gases and substances until it completely decomposes. This can destroy soil fertility, and even if crops grow, they may contain toxic elements that are harmful to human health.

Plastic affects humans and the environment negatively at every stage of its life cycle—from production to decomposition. Humans come into contact with many toxic chemicals and microplastics through breathing, ingestion, and direct skin contact. Microplastics, smaller than 5 mm, form when larger plastic fragments break down or during the plastic manufacturing process.

One study found microplastics present in food, air, water, and soil. The research analyzed 10 types of salt—including sea salt, rock salt, table salt, and local raw salt—as well as five types of sugar purchased from online and local markets. The conclusion was that all samples of salt and sugar contained different types of microplastics. The size of these microplastics ranged between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm. About 90 pieces of microplastics were found in one kilogram of salt, while sugar contained between 11.85 and 68.25 microplastic pieces per kilogram.

Plastic can cause hormonal imbalances, cancer, and other health-related problems. Children are particularly vulnerable—exposed to risks such as premature birth, stillbirth, congenital reproductive defects, neurological disorders, impaired lung development, and increased risk of childhood cancers.

Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue, affecting not only public health and land but also aquatic life and entire ecosystems.

If we change a few habits in our daily lives, we can save this beautiful planet. The Earth is our mother, and we are her children. Stop using plastic. Carry a cloth bag when you go to the market. Use products made from cloth or paper instead of plastic. Say ‘no’ to plastic and promote its alternatives.

Ban on Single-Use Plastic
The State Government has banned single-use plastic starting from July 1, 2022.

Prime Minister Launches LIFE Movement
To promote environmental conservation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “Lifestyle for Environment” (LIFE) movement in 2022. LIFE envisions a lifestyle that is in harmony with our planet and causes no harm to it. People who live such lifestyles are called “Pro-Planet People.” We have only one Earth, but we must make countless efforts to save it.

Dr. Surya Kant
Head of Department,
Department of Respiratory Medicine,
King George’s Medical University, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow
National President, Organization for Conservation of Environment and Nature (OCEAN)