Plastic Pollution GD Topic | Key Points For Effective Discussion

One of the core elements of any interview process—be it for MBA admissions, placements, or a company’s hiring process—is group discussion. And single-use plastic pollution as a GD topic is an evergreen choice for examiners or assessors. 

Before you start...

Make a mental note of what all you intend to say during the discussion:

1. Start Strong: Acknowledge the convenience of single-use plastic.
2. Case Against: Highlight environmental drawbacks - pollution, wildlife harm, microplastics. Mention human health concerns (potential chemical leaching).
3. Alternatives: Discuss available alternatives (reusable bags, metal straws) and their benefits. Are there any ongoing efforts? Keep some solutions or initiatives to on your finger tips. 
4. Case For (Acknowledge & Refine): Recognize some limited, specific use cases where single-use plastic might be necessary (medical applications). Advocate for stricter regulations and improved waste management.
5. Conclude: Speak about the importance of reducing single-use plastic for a healthier planet and future. 

About Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is one of the major problems causing damage to our environment today. Plastic waste is at an all-time high and is increasing at an alarming rate. The fact that it takes about 500- 1000 years to decompose and is neither biodegradable nor soluble means it remains in the environment for long periods of time.

Additionally, plastic, or more accurately, microplastics and nanoplastics seep into the air, land, and water bodies. This means we are both inhaling plastics that mix with air and eating plastic absorbed by plants. These concerns have prompted many authorities in different parts of the world to launch plastic ban drives.

How single-use plastic cause pollution?

The rate of plastic production has grown at a significant rate since the 1970s, and if the trend continues, forecasts suggest that the global production of plastic will reach 1100 million tonnes by 2050.

Amongst this plastic production, there has been a worrying shift towards the production and use of single-use plastic. These are items that are used once and are then thrown away, which end up in landfills and cause plastic pollution.

Thus, many countries have restricted or banned its use. Even India has placed a ban on single-use plastic. But why just single-use plastic? Because of the rise in production. This move by the government has been the center of debate since it began, making single-use plastic pollution gd topic a viable environmental GD topic. For this purpose, we have discussed a list of points that will help you argue your case in any group discussion you take part in. 

Case For ‘Ban on Single-use Plastic’

Massive Production:

• As per data, about 36% of all plastic produced is single-use and about 85% of it ends up in landfills unregulated. This poses a huge problem to the environment and its effects are extremely detrimental to the global environment.
• We produce more than 400 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, the majority junk of which is single-use plastic. It is also important to note that approximately 98% of single-use plastic is produced from “virgin” feedstock/ fossil fuel which leads to GHG emissions. And these emissions are expected to grow to make up 19% of the global carbon budget by 2040.
• It is clear from the data and stats that there is a need to cut the use of plastic, in particular single-use plastics. This justifies the ban on single-use plastic as a measure to counter the negative impact on the environment.

Difficult to Decompose

• There are three ways in which one can dispose of plastic- by burning it, disposal in water bodies, or landfills. However, neither of these is viable.
• Burning plastic releases toxin gases, releasing plastics in waterbodies damages the marine ecosystem, and landfills lead to plastic pollution by air as well as land.

Not easy to recycle

• Then there is recycling plastic products. As per the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), only 9% of the total plastic waste is recycled, while 50% goes to sanitary landfills, and 19% was incinerated.
• Many factors such as difficulty in the collection and segregation of single-use plastic, contamination issues, the recycling process itself, etc. make it difficult to recycle most single-use plastic products. This shows that we are not equipped to combat the ill effects of single-use plastic waste by recycling.
• In comparison, as per OECD, in 2021 the recycling rate of paper stood at 68% and at 91.4% for corrugated cardboard. Banning single-use plastics, and replacing them with these alternatives makes a lot of sense.

To summarize:

• Given that plastic takes about a thousand years to decompose, there is no safe way to dispose of or recycle most single-use plastics, and they are being produced as well as consumed at an unprecedently high rate, the only sensible way to stop the damage is to ban single-use plastics.
• With the ban on single-use plastics, innovators around the globe have come up with unique alternatives that are much more environmentally friendly. Take, for example, bamboo products, paper products, etc. Using these to curb the damage caused by single-use plastics is the only way forward. 

Case Against ‘Ban on Single-use Plastic’

No viable substitutes

• One substitute that is often brought up in the dialogue of a ban on single-use plastic is the use of paper products, like paper straws, bags, etc. But have you ever wondered if paper products are a good replacement for plastic products and if they are economically and environmentally sustainable?
• Firstly, it is evident from use that paper products don’t do as good a job as single-use plastics. Paper bags, for example, are easily susceptible to tear and breakage, making plastic bags more durable and user-friendly. The same goes for paper straws that go limp in a matter of minutes and are not as functional as plastic straws.
• Secondly, we all have been privy to the Save Paper and Stop Cutting Trees campaigns that call for global citizens to restrict their use of paper. It is evident then that paper products do not make a viable replacement for plastic products.
• Fabric bags/ products are another claimed replacement for plastic products, but increasing the use of fabric is another disaster in the making. As per stats, textile production is accountable for 20% of global clean water pollution. Also, plastic is still a component in a lot of the fabric types produced.
• There are no viable solutions to replace single-use plastics. Banning these products, in the absence of any replacement is not the most sensible way to proceed.

Economic Repercussions of the Plastic Ban

• As of 2021, the plastic industry was valued at 593 billion USD, with projected growth of 810 billion USD by 2030. Considering these stats, banning single-use plastic will cause enormous harm to the global economy.

Alternatives to handle plastic waste

• There are other alternatives to handle plastic waste- plastic roads. These are roads made entirely out of either plastic or its composites with other materials.
• Indian scientist Rajagopalan Vasudevan who has expertise in waste management developed an innovative way to contrast quality roads by reusing plastic waste. These roads are not only more durable and long-lasting but also extremely cost-effective. This solves the plastic waste and pollution problems while providing us with a solution for quality roads. So why not take this route instead of banning single-use plastics and disrupting the economy and lifestyles of people all over?

The points listed above will surely help you tackle the group discussion topic. But before you proceed with making your case, it is important to conduct further research and gain an in-depth understanding of the topic, not just as a candidate appearing for a GD, but also as a global citizen.

Note: A word of caution for those participating in GDs for the first time, it is important to make a point, but communication in GD is a two-way road. So listen to what others have to say, and give a well-rounded opinion during the discussion.

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