Dimapur, April 26 (EMN): Considering the hazard that plastic pollution has on the environment and human health, ADC and Administrator Medziphema Town Council organised an awareness programme on plastic waste management at Medziphema Town Hall on April 26.
According to an update from DIPR, resource person of the programme, EAC Sentilong told the gathering that plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects in the earth’s environment that affects humans and wildlife. He informed that plastic was first produced in the 1940s, and today, about 300 million tons is produced each year.
Sentilong said that only 10 percent of the total plastic produced is recycled, while the rest pollutes the environment. He stressed on the need for plastic waste management by saying that it (plastic) takes 500-1000 years to be decomposed and that about 8 million pieces of plastic entering the ocean kill millions of sea birds, marine mammals and aquatic ecosystem.
He went on to say that an average human intakes about 70,000 microplastics every year and some compounds found in plastic effects the hormones and health. He also called upon the participants to educate others on the ill-effects of plastic pollution.
ADC Thsuvisie Phoji also spoke on plastic waste management at the programme. Biodegradable bags were distributed to the participants after the event concluded.
