Read this story if you use plastic and paper straw

Plastic has become a curse for our environment which is causing huge harm not only to our surroundings but also to the far flung areas, mountains, rivers, and seas.

According to a report published in The Science Journal, about 1.3 billion tons of plastic will be accumulated all over the world by 2040. India alone produces more than 33 lakh tonnes of plastic every year.

According to a report prepared in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Praxis Global Alliance, India produces about 3.4 million tonnes i.e. 340 crore kg of plastic waste every year and only thirty percent of it is recycled.

Humans' dependence on plastic has increased to such an extent that heaps of this 'white pollution' are accumulating on the earth.

According to an estimate, the number of drinking straws used every day in America is 500 million. However, the validity of this figure is under dispute and the actual figure may be half of that figure.

Most of these straws are thrown into the garbage after use, which pollutes our environment. Single use plastic takes up to 300 years to completely decompose in the environment.

Researchers from the University of Antwerp in Belgium conducted research on straws made of paper and they found that it contains much more polyfluoro alkyl substance, i.e. PFAS, than plastic.

PFAS or polyfluoro alkyl are substances that do not break down quickly and can persist for a long time in our atmosphere, rain water and soil. That is why they are also called forever chemicals.

It is not easy to reduce the use of plastic. But if we take it seriously and at least insist on the use of plastic, then we can bring significant changes in our lives as well as in the lives of others.

For this, the most important thing is not to use single use plastic.

Along with straws, gutkha, shampoo pouches, foil, small bottles, plastic glasses and many small items of cutlery etc. are plastic products which are not reused and are one of the major causes of plastic pollution.

If we do not use such things and do not buy them from the market, then we will definitely see its benefits. Therefore we should take responsibility for this.

India generates a large amount of plastic waste every year, but it is ahead of the countries around the world in making meaningful use of recycled plastic waste.