Recyclers play a better role than waste paper marts who practise hazardous methods of recycling
Picture for representational purpose
Chennai: “Small efforts towards environment consciousness can make a difference, but eco friendly ways to obtain raw materials from wastes are less used.” says Deepak Kumar, programme manager of Saahas waste management. Recyclers play a better role than waste paper marts who practise hazardous methods of recycling that pollute the atmosphere.
“Burning of wires to obtain copper is practised in 90% of the waste paper marts across India and it is important to make the public and these industries aware of the damage they create by their apathy,” Deepak said. E-wastes comprise another major chunk of disposables that are not collected and used effectively.
Recyclers being very few in Chennai, NGOs find it difficult to support the process as it is difficult to obtain a license to collect these wastes. Some of the eco friendly things that ensure healthy society are products obtained from recycled wastes and organic farming. The reason these products fail to strike a chord with the public is that they are costlier than the regular commodities and not preferred by frugal customers.
Says Sriram Narayanan, proprietor of Vaer organic store, “Cheapness attracts the mass. But in the process, quality is compromised leading to deterioration in the standard of living.” According to him, where people are generally ignorant about eating habits, youngsters are driven to organic products at a time when they want to look good and take to the gymnasium and healthy eating more than old people who are not bothered much about their physique.
“While people are trying to be economical, losing out on health drains their savings on medical expenses. As the number of allergies increase due to pesticides and other chemical substances induced in food products during farming and refining, making use of safe and healthy products should become a way of life,” said Nandini Sivakumar, who runs a home bakery.
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