THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary - June 26, 2018 - Topic 1
Maharashtra’s ban on several consumer articles made of
plastic, introduced after a three-month notice period
to industry and users, is an extreme measure. It is naturally disruptive, and
Mumbai, famed for its resilience in the face of urban challenges, is trying to
adapt quickly. Today, stemming the plastic tide is a national imperative. India
hosted this year’s World Environment Day and Prime Minister Narendra Modi made
a high-profile pledge, to international acclaim, that it would do away with all
single-use plastics by 2022.
This goal is not yet backed by an action plan so
that State governments and local bodies can be in sync. Worldwide, the problem
has got out of hand, with only 9% of about nine billion tonnes of plastic
produced getting recycled. India has an uninspiring record when it comes to
handling waste. It has patchy data on volumes, and even less on what it
recycles. This lackadaisical approach is at odds with its ambitious goals.
Quite simply, if the Centre and the States had got down to dealing with the
existing regulations on plastic waste management and municipal solid waste, a
ban would not even have become necessary. Specifications for the recycling of
different types of plastics were issued two decades ago by the Bureau of Indian
Standards.
To address the global concern that the bulk of
India’s plastic waste — estimated officially at 26,000 tonnes a day — is being
dumped in the oceans, there has to be an effort on a war footing to segregate
it at source. The Urban Development Secretary in each State, who heads the
monitoring committee under the rules, should be mandated to produce a monthly
report on how much plastic waste is collected, including details of the types
of chemicals involved, and the disposal methods. Such compulsory disclosure
norms will maintain public pressure on the authorities, including the
State Pollution Control Boards. But
segregation at source has not taken off, as there is little awareness, official
support or infrastructure. Even bulk generators such as shopping malls, hotels
and offices do not abide by the law. Priority, therefore, should be given to
stop the generation of mixed waste, which prevents recovery of plastics.
Companies covered by extended producer responsibility provisions must be
required to take back their waste. In parallel, incentives to reduce the use of
plastic carry bags, single-use cups, plates and cutlery must be in place.
Retailers must be required to switch to paper bags. Potentially, carry bag
production using cloth can create more jobs than machines using plastic
pellets. What needs to be underscored is that plastics became popular because
they are inexpensive, can be easily produced and offer great convenience. But,
as the UN Environment Programme notes, their wild popularity has turned them into
a scourge. Consumers will be ready to make the switch, but they need good
alternatives.
Vocabulary
Extreme: furthest
from the center or a given point
Example: The
extreme northwest of Scotland
Synonyms: furthest, farthest, furthermost, far, very, utmost, outmost
Disruptive: causing
or tending to cause disruption.
Example: Disruptive
and delinquent children
Synonyms: troublesome, unruly, rowdy, disorderly, undisciplined
Resilience: the
ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.
Example: Nylon
is excellent in wearability and resilience
Imperative: giving
an authoritative command; peremptory.
Example: The
bell pealed again, a final imperative call
Synonyms: peremptory, commanding, imperious, authoritative, masterful, dictatorial
Ambitious: having
or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed.
Example: His
mother was hard-working and ambitious for her four children
Synonyms: aspiring, determined, forceful, pushy, enterprising, motivated
Approach: a
way of dealing with something.
Example: We
need a whole new approach to the job
Synonyms: method, procedure, technique, modus
operandi
Segregate: set
apart from the rest or from each other; isolate or divide.
Example: Hazardous
waste needs to be segregated from ordinary trash
Synonyms: separate, set
apart, keep apart, isolate, quarantine, closet
Disclosure: the
action of making new or secret information known.
Example: A
judge ordered the disclosure of the government documents
Synonyms: revelation, declaration, announcement, news, report, leak
Responsibility: the
state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over
someone.
Example: Women
bear children and take responsibility for child care
Synonyms: authority, control, power, leadership
Inexpensive: not
costing a great deal; cheap.
Example: A
simple and inexpensive solution
Synonyms: cheap, low-priced, low-cost, modest, economical, competitive
Scourge: a
whip used as an instrument of punishment.
Example: Begone,
or shall I be required to chastise you with the whip and the scourge once more?
Synonyms: whip, horsewhip, lash, strap, birch, switch, bullwhip, rawhide
