A report on plastic pollution in Kerala *How Plastic Enters the Food Chain *Types of Debris *Plastic Consumption in India *Plastics Recycling and Integrated *Waste Management *Innovative Plastic Recycling *Questionnaire and Poll Results *Recommendations

1. PLASTIC POLITICS
SYMPOSIUM ON PLASTIC POLLUTION AND
MANAGEMENT FOR THE STATE OF KERALA
On
10TH OCTOBER 2012
In Kochi
Organized by
Co- hosted by
TheCorporation of cochin Beaumonde The Fern Kochi Muzris Biennale

2. PROCEEDINGS
Edited By : Solly Solomon
Education Director Global Ocean India .
Published by : Global Ocean India
1/1903 Kunnumpuram
Fort Kochi PO Kerala 682001
Copyright : Global Ocean India
1/1903 Kunnumpuram
Fort Kochi PO Kerala 682001

3. Foreword
Global Ocean ia a marine conservation foundation with a mission to mitigate the
harmful effects of plastic pollutants in the environment for the benefit of human and marine
health. Human activities are responsible for a major decline of the world’s biological
diversity, and the problem is so critical that combined human impacts could have accelerated
present extinction rates to 1000–10,000 times the natural rate. In the ocean, the threat to
marine life comes in various forms, such as over-exploitation and over-harvesting, pollution,
alien species, land reclamation, dredging and climate change. One particular form of human
impact constitutes a major threat to marine life: the pollution by plastic debris.
Plastics is one of the fastest growing industries in India and the next 20 years will
witness an unprecedented growth in all sectors of the plastics industry according to the
PlastIndia Foundation (www.plastindiafoundation.org).
It is, therefore, imperative that a system to keep plastics out of our environment is put
in place as soon as possible. One cannot have awareness of this issue without action, and as
we are collectively responsible for using plastic, we are equally responsible for removing the
plastic from our natural environment.
The symposium was targeted to give a platform to discuss management of plastic
waste and its immense opportunities for recycling, reusing, conversion and alternatives. It
also looked at innovative ideas that could become a permanent solution for the plastic menace
that we face.
It is also imperative for businesses and organisations to work together to tackle the
multiple challenges of pollution control. It is hoped that greater awareness will reduce the
amount of plastics that gets into our water, air and food supplies, by making us more diligent
in its disposal and more committed to creating efficient waste management systems.
The Corporation of Cochin is indeed making a commendable effort in making the city
clean and organizing various awareness initiatives. More than these initiatives and awareness
programs it is the self initialization of public concern that has to be ignited. If the people of
Kerala can build on efforts already in existence today and implement other systems already
successful elsewhere in the world, the state may indeed offer a formula for managing
discarded plastic that could be implemented in a national framework.

4. We are grateful to be offered a platform by the Cochin Corporation and The Kochi
Biennale foundation and for the generous hospitality of our hosts at the The Fern Hotel.
Solly Solomon
Education Director
Global Ocean India.

5. Organizing committee
• Ms. Melanie Salmon, Director, Global Ocean .
• Mr. T.K Ashraf, Chairman, Health Standing Committee, Corporation of
Cochin.
• Dr. Rajan Chedambath, Secretary, Centre for Heritage, Environment and
Development, Corporation of Cochin.
• Dr. Nirmala Padmanabhan, Head, Dept of Economics St Theresas
College Cochin
• Mr. Solly Solomon, Education Director, Global Ocean India.
• Ms. Dhanya Chungath, Global Ocean India

6. 1. Inaugural session
The symposium was willingly attended by people from different sectors of
society including policy makers, businessmen, educationalists, hoteliers, builders,
environmentalists, The Navy, social workers, Non-Profit-Organizations, people from
various print and electronic media and others.
Dr.Rajan Chedambath, Secretary of the Centre for Heritage, Environment and
Development of the Corporation of Cochin, welcomed the delegates and guests.
Melanie Salmon, Founder of Global Ocean, gave a brief introduction about Global
Ocean and its activities around the world.
The program was formally inaugurated by the honourable member of the
legislative assembly, Sri. Hiby Eden. In his inaugural address the Hon. MLA, stressed
on the significance of the symposium and the various ill effects of plastic pollution in
the State of Kerala. He highlighted the need to develop and implement initiatives in
order to make a better environment for future generations to sustain and manage.
The inaugural session was felicitated by the Hon. Deputy mayor Smt. Bhadra,
She explained how the City of Cochin is dependent on the marine sectors, and how
the pollution of the marine environment adversely affects the social and economic
well-being of us all. Moreover, she briefly described the impact of plastic pollution
on marine life. She commented on the initiative taken by Global Ocean in this regard.
Sri. T.K. Ashraf, Health Standing Committee Chairman of the Corporation of
Cochin, delivered the vote of thanks to all the guests and delegates who spared their
valuable time for this noble cause and to all who worked on and off the screen for the
successful conduct of the program.
The inaugural session was followed by screening the trailer of the film Plastic
Oceans (www.plasticoceans.net). This preceded the technical sessions which were
handled by experts from the field who described what actually happens around us that

7. is largely hidden from our eyes.
2. Technical sessions
2.1. Dr. V. Kripa, Principal Scientist and Head, Fishery Environment
Management Division, CMFRI Cochin, handled the first session on
‘How plastic enter into the food chain?’
About the speaker:
Dr.(Mrs).V.Kripa, Principal Scientist, is the Head of Fishery Environment Management
Division of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute India. She has more than 26 years of
service in Research, Management and Extension activities relating to the Fisheries and
Aquaculture sector; has published more than 95 publications in related subjects; has been
awarded the T.V.R.Pillay award (as a team) for coastal livelihood development through
bivalve mariculture in the year 2011, and received the commendable paper award for the
work on Women empowerment in the International symposium on Gender and Fisheries
organized by the Asian Fisheries Society. In a recent competition conducted by UNEP for
World Environment Day Celebrations (WED-2012) for promoting Green Economy, Dr
Kripa’s Environment team from CMFRI, was among 35 finalists shortlisted from 9200 global
contestants.
She is currently working on coastal habitat restoration, participatory programmes in
environment conservation, climate change and environmental aspects related to marine
fisheries.
Summary of her presentation
Dr. Kripa briefly explained the sources and types of plastic wastes that enter into our
environment, and how it enters into the food chain causing irreversible damage. Through her
scholarly talks she explained how plastic affects the surface waters, impacts negatively on
plankton, the commercial fisheries and the water-column, and how it adversely affects the
bottom flora and fauna.
She described direct and indirect sources of marine litter. The characterisation of
marine debris was based on its floating nature. According to her, micro-plastics were the
most unnoticed but deleterious pollutant. Possible effects of microplastics on marine
organisms after ingestion are threefold: physical blockage or damage of feeding appendages
or digestive tract, leaching of plastic component chemicals into organisms after digestion, and
ingestion and accumulation of sorbed chemicals by the organism.

8. Nurdles - pre-production plastic resin pellet typically under 5 mm (0.20 in) in
diameter found outside of the typical plastics manufacturing stream can carry two types of
micropollutants in the marine environment: native plastic additives and hydrophobic
pollutants absorbed from seawater. For example, concentrations of PCBs and DDE on
nurdles collected from Japanese coastal waters were found to be up to 1 million times higher
than the levels detected in surrounding seawater.
Ingestion of plastic causes Blockages of the esophogus and intestinal tract. Sharp
objects results in injuries and infections, Toxins can accumulate in an animal’s tissues
affecting the health and wellness of the animal. Seabirds and hatchling sea turtles may eat
plastic debris that is toxic when ingested, resulting in reproductive failure or death. Sea turtles
may mistake floating debris for food, which can lead to suffocation or intestinal blockage
when ingested. Whales can ingest marine debris that can become entangled in their baleen,
cause choking, or interfere with digestion.
She quoted the study On July 1, 2006, Cynthia Vanderlip conducted a necropsy of a
chick. The contents of the bird’s stomach amazed and shocked the teachers and scientists.
The dead chick was severely impacted and literally full of plastics. Some pieces were
approximately 6 inches long and several were sharp and jagged. We could conclusively state
this bird was killed by the plastic debris because of the observed puncture in the lining of the
proventriculus. We removed the plastic from our bird and counted an excess of 306 pieces of
plastic.

9. Plastics
in
turtle
stomach CMFRI,
Kochi
Study by CMFRI indicates the quantity of non biodegradable waste ranged between at
2 to 18 kg day-1 and consisted of rubber tyres, bottles, metal plates, tin cans etc during the
pre-monsoon period. The quantity of debris flowing into the coastal ecosystem was found to
be considerably higher during the full moon and new moon period coinciding with the spring
tides.
Types
of
debris
/
litter
in
Kerala
The
occurrence
by
weight
as
well
as
nature
of
the
biodegradable
objects
strewn
along
beaches
was
studied.
Canals
in
urban
areas
were
more
affected
The
intensity
varied
in
different
locations.

10. Number of plastic and glass bottles accumulating in a stake net
placed near Northern Vermbanad area
48
No
of
In
one
stake
net
of
44
38
plas3c
frame
area
15sqm
32
32
about
48
plas3c
28
30
25
bo?les
are
21
24
18
17
accumulated
13
12
10
during
9
period
of
8
7
6
6
4
a
4
4
6
4
7
6
hrs
0
3
0
1
0
2
0
1
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Day
of
observa,on
CMFRI,
Kochi
Latest research suggests that plastic is also a source of dissolved substances that can
easily become widely dispersed in the marine environment. Many of these chemicals are
believed to be toxic to humans and animals. They release a range of chemicals, such as
bisphenol A and substances known as polystyrene-based (PS) oligomers, which are not found
naturally. Bisphenol A has been implicated in disrupting the hormonal system of animals,
including humans.

11. In September 2010, Canada became the first country to declare BPA a toxic
substance. The EU, Canada, and recently the US have banned BPA use in baby bottles.
Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor which can mimic estrogen and may lead to negative
health effects. A 2011 study that investigated the number of chemicals pregnant women are
exposed to in the U.S. found BPA in 96% of women. Higher bisphenol A levels were
significantly associated with heart disease, diabetes, and abnormally high levels of certain
liver enzymes.
“The problem is, BPA is also a synthetic estrogen, and plastics with BPA can break
down, especially when they're washed, heated or stressed, allowing the chemical to leach into
food and water and then enter the human body. That happens to nearly all of us; the CDC
has found BPA in the urine of 93% of surveyed Americans over the age of 6. If you don't have
BPA in your body, you're not living in the modern world”…The perils of plastic – TIME
Magazine.
The session was concluded by the suggestion of various management and preventive
measures that can be adopted by everyone to tackle this issue.
2.2 Dr. Bijoy Nandan Associate Professor CUSAT explained about the impact
of plastic pollution on the marine and human health.
About the speaker
Dr. S. Bijoy Nandan, an ECOLOGIST, is presently Associate Professor in Marine Biology,
School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT). He had
earlier served as Senior Scientist and Head, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute Centre
(ICAR), Kerala and as Sr. Officer in Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical & Engineering
Training (CIFNET), Govt. of India, Cochin. He has conducted post doctoral research of
CSIR, in the Dept. of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries, University of Kerala. He was a
participant of the Indian Arctic research Expedition in 2011 and also worked as consultant in
the United Nations funded research project in King Fahd University of Petroleum &
Minerals, Saudi Arabia. Bijoy Nandan is member of noted professional/ academic bodies in
India and abroad. He is the Technical member of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board.
Bijoy Nandan has over 103 research publications in peer reviewed journals of national and
international repute, books, book chapters, and popular articles. He has visited several
countries in connection with his academic and research assignments and is supervising

12. students for Ph.D programmes in several universities.
Summary of the presentation
Plastic is used very commonly in the world because they are cheap, easy to make and
long lasting. But sorry to say, these useful qualities make plastic a real menace to the
environment. Neither biodegradable nor sustainable, 105 million tons of plastic is produced
annually in the world, whilst 2.5 million tonnes is produced in India. The use of plastic in
Western and European countries is averaging 70 kg per person per year, whilst in India it is 4
kg per person per year.
Global per capita consumption of
plastic (kg)
World average 26
North America 90
West Europe 65
East Europe 10
China 12
India 5
South-East Asia 10
L. America 18
Individual plastic consumption in India
Material Year
1999-2000 2000-01
HDPE 515496 540000
PVC 649000 700000
PP 789480 905000
PS 175382 193300
LDPE/LLDPE 723860 820000

13. Health impacts due to burning of plastics.
Burning plastic bottles releases heavy metals such as cadmium and lead, along with
toxic chemicals into the air. These chemicals include benzene, dioxins, furans and
polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Burning polyvinyl chloride (PVC) releases hydrochloric acid,
which contributes to acid rain. Dioxins and furans occur from the burning of waste,
including plastics. One dioxin, known as TCDD, is linked to cancer in humans. Burning of
polyurethrene foam releases about 57 cancer causing chemicals which include extremely
toxic toluene diso cyanate. The PVC gives off vinyl chloride gas, even the trace quantities of
which cause liver cancer. Generally, higher concentration of vinyl chloride is detected around
the rubbish dumps. Often they are set fire or they catch fire emitting smoke containing
hydrogen fluoride, which is not only very poisonous but also contributes to acid rain.
Antimony is also found in many fruit juice and squash bottles.
When PVC is processed in a poorly ventilated area formed in the absence of
sufficient oxygen and at a temperature more than 300°C, carbon monoxide is produced.
During incineration, PVC evolves dioxin, which is also highly toxic. Bisphenol - an
endocrine disruptor which can mimic oestrogen and has been linked with an array of
afflictions as diverse as diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer, thyroid disorders, ADHD,
infertility, erectile dysfunction, early-onset menstruation and obesity. Bisphenol A and other
persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can pass through the placental wall and also enter infants
through breast milk.
The Tragic Condition of The Marine Environment
Within the oceans of the world, there are five plastic islands, or five “gyres.” The
oceans’ currents, the world’s wind patterns, and the Earth’s rotation cause “gyres.” Within
the gyres, plastic congregates and accumulates, creating gyres in the North Pacific, South
Pacific, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Indian Ocean. These gyres resemble “plastic
soups” more than “plastic islands”.

14. An estimated 1.1-1.26 kg/person/day is generated on board the ships as waste plastic
and thrown overboard. It is estimated that merchant ships alone dump about 5, 00,000 plastic
containers each day in international waters.
Plastic degradation at sea takes between 45-1000 years. When plastic reaches one of
the gyres, it remains there for years, gradually disintegrating, until the oceans’ currents take it
to a beach. Research on the Great North Pacific Garbage Patch, or the plastic island in the
North Pacific, has shown that the concentration of plastics at the heart of this gyre is six
times greater than that of plankton
Entanglement - animals get trapped or stuck in plastic pollution which limits the
animals movement and can lead to starvation. In the ocean, plastic debris injures and kills
fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267
species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species and
43% of all marine mammal species. The impacts include fatalities as a result of ingestion,
starvation, suffocation, infection, drowning and entanglement.
Coral reefs can be harmed via scouring, abrading, or breakage when marine debris
snags or entangles coral . Ghost fishing—the entrapment of fish in lost or abandoned gear
such as gillnets, traps, cages, and pots—is a widely acknowledged problem

15. Algalita Marine
Research
Foundation
N.
Pacific
Central
Gyre
voyage
2008
672
fish
caught,
6
species
35%
had
ingested
micro-­‐plastic
fragments
A recent study found that plastics take up and accumulate persistent
organic pollutants (POPs), It affect ultimately humans through food
chain.
Plastics contaminate the marine food chain Ingested plastic has potential to transfer
toxic substances to the food chain(Teuten el at. 2009). By migration of toxic additives: Many
studies show that additives leach out of plastic packaging. Chemicals in plastic are harmful to
wildlife-the most widely used plasticizers impact molluscs, crustaceans, insects, fish and
amphibians-impairing development,reproduction at concentrations that mimic environmental
concentrations. Plastic fragments also act as attractor molecules PAHs, PCBs, PBA and other
bioaccumulative contaminants in seawater adhere to surface and concentrate significantly –
upto 100 times background levels (Mato et al 2001, Teuten et al 2009)
This preliminary baseline study of Indian Ocean debris accumulation rates, nature and
colonization reflects patterns suggested by other authors for parts of the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans. The Indian Ocean has already become a major source of export of marine organisms
to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal. Debris and ship carried invaders now seem
likely to pose a serious threat to the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, the only marine realm
from which exotic invaders are unknown. (David K.A. Barnes)
The Sea Education Association’s (SEA) expedition to the western North Atlantic
Ocean found bits of HDPE (high density polyethylene), LDPE (low density polyethylene),
and PP (polypropylene) from items such as milk containers, plastic bags, and straws, which
float on the surface because they are less dense than seawater. It did not find PET

16. (polyethylene terephthalate), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and PS (polystyrene solid), which
sink because they are denser than seawater. Algalita, Marine Research Foundation which
sampled down to depths of 100 hundred meters throughout the eastern side of the North
Pacific Gyre, found LDPE, styrene, PP and PET.
Despite all these environmental and potential human health impacts, most scientists
agree that it is not feasible to clean up the plastic soup in our oceans. The areas are huge, and
the debris is unevenly distributed and always shifting. A cleanup would entail filtering
enormous amounts of water, and the by-catch of plankton and other marine organisms would
be harmful to ocean ecosystems. Moreover, the fact that the trash gyres are in the open ocean,
in international waters, makes it difficult to get governments to invest in research or cleanup
efforts.
2.3 Mr. Mohan Chandran Deputy Manager BPCL, Cochin refinery handled the session on the
management of plastic waste and reduction of its impact on our environment.
About the speaker
Mr. Mohan Chandran K C work as Deputy Manager (Information Systems) at Bharat
Petroleum Corporation Ltd – Kochi Refinery. Has conducted classes and seminars for over
45 residents’ associations, 8 colleges, and 2 Engineering colleges on following subjects
“Waste management and Organic Farming” “No waste only wealth” “Waste management
and terrace gardening”. Has introduced “PLASTEND” and “SAVE A TREE” projects in 4
Schools and 3 Residents’ Association in tripunithura. These projects are introduced in school
with a motive of reaching their parents and then to the society. Founder and Vice-Chairman
of Tripunithura Rajanagari Union of Residents’ Association an apex body of
residents’ which includes 85 residents’ associations with 50 to 250 members in each
association in tripunithura municipality . This organisation plays a main role in development
of tripunithura municipality along with municipality with the help of people. The main
objective of this organisation is to create awareness in the society, mainly the requirement
and necessity of degradable solid waste at its origin, the hazard of plastic waste to the
universe and coming generation and methods to avoid it, encouraging and propagating
Organic farming/terrace farming . Founder of “Prerana” “The Inspiration” which is a
charitable organisation focused on the development of children and ladies. The slogan of the
organisation is “Through the students to the parents, through the parents to the society”. For
any development and change in the society we have to model the new generation. We extend
quality development program for them, study classes, memorising techniques and tress
management techniques.

17. Summary of the presentation
Mr Mohan Chandran clearly briefed on the various possible management methods
that is in vogue as well as those that can be possibly implemented in our society for the
successful mitigation of the plastic menace. He notifed that as on date the main methods of
plastic waste disposal practiced are by landfill, incineration, energy recovery, resource
recovery, avoidance and reduction methods.
Plastic is widely used to fill lands to reclaim unutilized areas. It takes 1000 to 1Mn
years for a polyethylene bag to breakdown in soil. As it breaks down toxic substances leach
into the soil and enter food chain . it choke the soil and the soil inhabitants for ages and
destroy their natural habitats.
Plastics are widely incinerated in our society. Unscientific incineration of plastic
results in more hazardous environmental and clinical problems. 1 kg of polyethylene
produces 3.20kg of CO2. This becomes one ofthe worst forms of air pollution as CO2 is one
of the major green house gases and heightens to the global warming. If plastic with chlorine
or fluorine or any halogen in that respect is burned, cancer causing toxic substance called as –
dioxins are produced. This results in serious health hazards.
Plastic has a very high caloric value. This property of plastic can be exploited
usefully. Many furnaces and turbines already practice this. Since burned at very high
temperature and controlled air supply, CO2 emission will be very low.
Recycling and reusing of plastic is also a better way to prevent its entry into the
environment. PET bottles can be recycled to fibre, nylon, rope, net, tables, chairs, bottles etc.
Shredded plastic can be used for the blackening of the roads along with the coal tar. This
increases the life and durability of the roads. Plastic bocks or bitumen can also be used in the
construction industry.
The major way to reduce the entry of plastic is by the avoidance and reduction
method. The self initialization of reduced plastic usage must come from each and everyone.
Education from a young age for the proper segregation, disposal and reuse of plastic must be
encouraged. Government and Non-Government-Organizations working with similar interests
must work together to reduce society’s reliance on plastics and eventually leading to its
gradual elimination..

18. Plastic is produced by the polymerisation of oil in the presence of a few catalysts
under specific conditions. Similarly, thermal depolymerisation is a process that reduces
complex organic materials usually biomas plastics into light crude oil. Utilizing pressure and
heat, the process breaks down the long-chain polymers into short-chain petroleum
hydrocarbons with the aid of a catalyst.
MK AROMATICS, Alathur on Old Mahabalipuram road Tamil Nadu is a company
established 5 years ago that uses 10 tonnes of plastic per day to produce 10000 litres of crude
oil per day. Any plastic waste like industrial and municipal waste and others like the bumbers
of cars and computer cases can be used. Halogenated plastic cannot be used as it produces
dioxins.
The plastic is turned into a molten state using a catalyst and vaporized before being
converted to oil. The process is easy as it doesn’t need segregation or washing . they also
pocess distilling facilities to make diesel from crude . they claim to have a reslt of 12%
petrol, 40% diesel 28% heavy oil and 20% furnace oil. The residual dry coke depends on the
quality of the plastic used for the pyrolysis process.

19. 3. Institutional session
Dr.T.O.Varghese Manager ( Project) CENTRE FOR BIOPOLYMER SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY (A unit of CIPET) Eloor, Udyogamandal, Kochi, delivered the institutional
presentation on the topic Plastics Recycling and Integrated Waste Management.
Recycling of Plastics is a daunteding challenge as there are about 10-12 main polymer
types and thousands of different resin grades and blends available for commercial
applications. In addition to this, polymers have become increasingly multi-component
through the use of multi-layers, laminates and composites. Furthermore, many polymers are
rarely additive free. Normally they contain additives, formulates and modifiers such as
fillers, pigments, antioxidants and flame-retardants, which can further interfere with the
recycling process.
Indian Experience and Success in
Plastics Waste Recycling
 Estimate suggests that around 2500
mechanical recycling industries are spread
over the length and breadth of the country
involving around 3 lakh people.
 The statistical informations on Indian
scenario are enumerated as follows.
Volume Recycled - 1.2 MMT
No. of units - 2500
Pelletizers - 3200
Turnover (USD in Million) - 1124
Value Add (USD in Million) - 360
Ragpickers Employed - 130 K
Employment - 300 K
CENTRE FOR BIOPOLYMER SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY ( A unit of CIPET ) SP - 37
In the 90’s, emphasis was on the mechanical recycling of plastics. Today there is an
integrated approach to plastics recycling including feed-stock recycling and incineration with
energy recovery. Demand for post-consumer recyclates is steadily increasing due to the
implementation of legislation on recycling; a favorable cost of recyclates; an advancement in
recycling technology and an expanded collection network.

20. Innovative Centrifugal technology for Separation of Waste renders excellent
separation of Plastics of different density: fine separation independent of size or form of the
flake with high through-put due to quick separation (300 - 5000 kg per hour is
possible with low energy-consumption and low ground-noise).
Various size reduction methods used in the recycling technique are Cutting Process-
Shredders, Rotary Grinder, Grinders, Rotary Knife Cutters, Wet Size Reduction, Slicers,
Screw Cutters; Laminate separation; Densification-agglomerators.

21. Innovative Free-flowing
agglomerate from mixed
plastics waste materials
CENTRE FOR BIOPOLYMER SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY ( A unit of CIPET ) SP - 15
The Innovative Free-flowing agglomerate from mixed plastics waste materials
undertakes careful handling of plastics by processing below melting temperature. Versatile,
dry, and free-flowing recycled material with a bulk density of up to 480 kg/m3 Flexible use
of recycled material as a result of its excellent dosability and storability. Any thermoplastic
sheeting and blisterpack materials made of PE, PP, PA, PET and PVC can be processed.
Also suitable for the compaction of foams, fibers, and flow-moulded plastics

22. Flow Diagram for Recycling of
Consumer Waste
Consumer Waste
Household Waste Hotel/Hospital Waste Street Waste Dump yard
Scrap Dealers Rag pickers
Scrap wholesalers
Grinding,
Recyclers Sorting & Cleaning Cleaning, Drying
Sold to processors/ Granulation & Lump formation &
Product conversion to end Packaging grinding
CENTRE FOR BIOPOLYMER SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY ( A unit of CIPET ) SP - 19
Flow Diagram for Recycling of
Industrial Waste
Industrial Waste
End Users Street Waste
Scrap Dealers Scrap pickers
Scrap wholesalers
Grinding,
Recycler Sorting & Cleaning Cleaning, Drying
Sold to processors/ Granulation & Lump formation &
Product conversion to end Packaging grinding
CENTRE FOR BIOPOLYMER SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY ( A unit of CIPET ) SP - 20

23. Essential elements for the successful recycling of plastics waste include a stable
supply source which involves reliable collection and sortation, an economical, proven and
environmentally sound recycling process and end-use applications for the recycled polymer
which yields economic market values and captures consumer confidence.
Technology Options for the Recycling of Plastics Waste
In – House recycling in processing industries
Product to Product approach
Monomer to Monomer
Mixed plastics to oil
Mixed plastics to plastics lumbers.
Mixed plastics to energy
INTERACTIVE SESSIONS.
I. The delegates were given a questionnaire fill in. A time of 15 minutes was
given and the completed answers were collected back. The statistical analysis
of their answers is given below.
1. What
sector
are
you
in?
40.00%
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
Government
Industry
and
Fisheries
Educa3on
Plas3cs
and
Other
Corporate
recycling

24.
2. How
can
your
sector
work
together
to
reduce
plastic
pollution
with
the
local
government?
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Educa3on
and
Recycle
decision
Collec3on
and
Alterna3ves
Development
awareness
making
disposal
of
of
new
plas3c
technology
3.
Please
circle
below
what
you
think
is
the
biggest
problem
of
plastic
pollution
in
Kerala?
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
Series1
20%
10%
0%
Aesthe3c
Health
and
safety
Nega3ve
effects
on
Others
tourism
4. Please
circle
below
what
ways
your
organisation
could
help
to
reduce
plastic
pollution:

25.
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
5..
Which
sector
(rank
in
order)
do
you
think
contributes
most
to
plastic
waste?
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
Series1
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
Household
Backwater
Industry
and
Cruise
ships
Fisheries
Tourism
The
Public
villages
corporates

26. 6.What
do
you
think
are
the
solutions
to
plastic
pollution,
in
order
of
priority?
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
Series1
10.00%
0.00%
waste
educa3on
investment
new
economic
other
management
and
awareness
and
funding
technologies
incen3ves
to
facility
reduce
plas3c
pollu3on
7.
Please
circle
below
the
number
of
years
you
think
it
might
take
to
put
in
place
a
functional
waste
management
system
for
plastics,
if
all
the
sectors
face
the
challenges
together:
50.00%
45.00%
40.00%
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
Series1
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
2
years
5
years
10
years
never
other

27. 8.
What
is
the
biggest
challenge
plastic
is
having
on
your
business?
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
Series1
10%
5%
0%
Disposal
Recycling
Unsegregated
Health
issues
Single
use
wastes
plas3cs
9.
Do
you
think
that
the
government
should
legislate
the
plastics
industry
to
behave
responsibly
towards
its
plastic
pollution?
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
Series1
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Yes
No
May
be

28.
10.
Do
you
think
toxic
plastic
needs
to
be
declared
by
the
Pollution
Board
a
pollutant?
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
Series1
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Yes
No
May
be
11.
Do
you
think
single
use
plastics
should
be
banned
in
the
State
of
Kerala?
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
Series1
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Yes
No
May
be
s

29. 3. The Delegates were divided into 6 groups at random and given 8 titles for group
discussion.
1. How can discarded plastic be recycled for
industrial use in Kerala?
The various ways in which plastics can be reused are:
 Use of shredders and converting it to bitumen.
 Use of shredded plastic in road construction
 Increasing the reuse of plastics
 Conversion of plastics to fuel
 Use of plastic for construction
 Use recycled plastic as a substitute to wood
 Use of plastic as an art form
2.How can we implement a regular monitoring
program of plastics in the water bodies of
Kerala?
The different monitoring methods are:
 Installation of cameras at sensitive areas
 Constant checkups by local government
 Strict and stringent rules and its enforcement
 Introduction of penalty for polluters
 Engaging local fishermen to conduct regular monitoring
 Giving financial incentives to well maintained areas
 Involvement of Government or Non-Government-Organizations to boost the locals
 Introduction of ‘Coastal Police’ ( volunteers to monitor the status and check on the
polluters) or a professional ‘Marine Team’ or ‘Coastal Watch Squad.’

30. 3.How can we set up a measurable standard to
declare plastic a toxic pollutant?
It can be attained by:
 Sincere involvement of technical experts.
 Thorough and solid research work.
 Duty of the Pollution Control Board
4.How can families achieve effective separation
and collection of plastic from household waste?
 Proper awareness to the people.
 Convince them of the need for its collection and segregation.
 Providing people with segregation bins.
 Incentives for good performance.
5.What solutions are there for single use
disposable plastics such as bottles of drinking
water and aerated drinks?
 Reduce the usage of single use plastic to the maximum.
 Replace with glass bottles.
 Use of alternatives such as paper or at the least, recyclable plastic.
6.How do we engage the media to promote a
green society?
 Constant awareness programs
 Advertisements with celebrities

31.  Call for reduction in the use of plastics
 Promotion of alternatives to plastics
 Conduct training programs for school students
7.How can the fishing industry be encouraged to
reduce the problem of plastic pollution in the
ocean?
 Avoid taking plastic to the sea
 Avoid dumping of plastic waste in the sea
 Use of better and cheap alternatives
 Use of eco-friendly fishing gear
 Setting up discarded fishing-net collection units
 Giving incentives to the people who return old fishing gear
8. How can we persuade the state government to
encourage the formation of eco-friendly
industries?
 Strong recommendation by the local self governments and NGOs
 Setting up a model village in this respect and asking for similar enforcement.
 Strong student movements
 Introduction of tax relaxation for organizations or individuals who perform eco-
friendly practices.

32. RECOMMENDATIONS
These are the Recommendations that came out of the Symposium and a follow-
up presentation by Global Ocean on Impacts of Plastic Debris and Marine and
Human Health on 28 November at the Centre for Heritage, Environment and
Development.
• To find out the sources of thermocoil pollution on Kerala’s coastline and to put
collection systems in place for its safe disposal.
• An awareness and education campaign for schools in Kerala incorporating the 3Rs –
Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.
• Government legislation to make the Plastics Industry responsible for plastic pollution
- the polluter pays principal?
• Banning Single Use Plastics in the State of Kerala
• To fine coastal vendors for selling plastic and to incentivize vendors to use eco-
friendly materials.
• Tax incentives such as heavily taxing the use and manufacture of non-biodegradable,
non-sustainable plastics in the State of Kerala.
• Facilitating private investment in technology that converts plastic debris to oil and/or
plastic to plastic.
• Introducting a dedicated “Marine Team” to keep the coastline clean and to monitor
the sources of plastic pollution and health of the sea.
• To facilitate/incentivize the replacement of petrol-derived synthetics with natural
materials that are sustainable and biodegradable.
• To create a working group to voice the Vision of The Corporation to the relevant
Ministries.
• To commission a socio-economic and feasibility report on green energy and eco-
products for the State of Kerala.

33. • To incentivize fishers and boaters to collect plastic from the ocean.
Please contact Melanie Salmon (melanie@globalocean.tv) for feedback.