Plastic, is a product of science, is very helpful to human beings but equally harmful to animals, plants, and the entire ecosystem. The invention of plastic proved to be very beneficial as it served a lot of purposes and hence solved several issues we human beings were dealing with before its invention.
Although we are familiar with the adverse effects of using plastic, we cannot avoid it in our day-to-day life. We are using plastic in various forms every day. Plastic has become so important for us that we can’t imagine eliminating it from our lives. The Indian Government has tried to ban plastic bags several times, but even it couldn't help.
How Plastic is Harmful to Us?
Plastic is Produced chemically, i.e, when plastic is burned it evolves various harmful gases which pollute the air and affects plants as well as animals.
Since plastic is toxic, plastic waste can cause land pollution as well as water pollution. If consumed by Animals, it affects them adversely too.
More the use of plastic will be the plastic waste generated. This plastic waste is the real problem. The main concern is how to get rid of that. Environmentalists have found several ways to reduce the plastic waste generated but could never find a way to eliminate it.
How to Get Rid of Plastic Waste?
The basic concept for this is Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Many people who are devoted to protecting the environment have always prompted people to follow this basic concept.
The Government even tried to ban plastic bags many times but it also could not help.
So, when we don’t have any way to reduce the waste, the only option is to use that plastic waste effectively.
Effective way? What’s that? How can plastic waste be made useful?
Effective Use of Plastic Waste
Whatever we have, is there for a reason. We just need to focus on some ways to use everything effectively. Plastic waste can also be used in a good way.
Padma Shri Dr. Rajagopalan Vasudevan has popularly given the name “Plastic Man of India” focused on the same thing and found out to use plastic in a manner, by which it neither affected the environment nor the health of people proved out to be very useful.
Who is Dr. R. Vasudevan?
Dr. R. Vasudevan is an Indian Scientist who has been awarded Padma Shri by the Indian Government for his contribution towards waste management.
He always looked for the brighter things. On one side where everyone was considering banning plastic, he decided to plan it. He was concerned about the adverse effects caused to the environment by plastic waste disposal. So, he looked for a better idea.
He decided not to dispose of the plastic waste but to mix it with bitumen and use the polymerized mix in laying down the roads.
Sounds good, doesn't it?
It was a very effective and innovative step. Using plastic in road construction was profitable in many ways like it was more durable, it was cost-efficient, and it solved the major issue that was the management of plastic waste.
Plastic: Not to Ban, But to Plan
It was the motto behind this innovative idea of Dr. Vasudevan. His concern was to somehow reuse the plastic waste without using a lot of money or affecting nature.
He always believes that every problem has a solution, and if you can’t find the solution, don’t worry, God will help you. He is a very spiritual person. According to him, with just some minor innovations we can convert the trash into treasure. Bhagwat Gita says: Creation is mine, Brain is yours. Use it to use it.
For example, Just an empty wooden tube can be converted into a flute by making some holes in it. Wooden sticks may be of no use, but the flute is very important, especially for those who love music or Shri Krishna.
He believes everything is there for a purpose, hence nothing is waste what we think is waste is the raw ingredient for some major product.
Education and Career of Dr. Vasudevan
Dr. Rajagopalan Vasudevan completed his Bachelors and Masters from Madras University. In 1974, he earned his Ph.D. from the same university...
He then joined as a lecturer in Thiagarajar College of Engineering in 1975 and became Professor in 1998.
Dr. Vasudevan’s Plastic Roads
By segregating and mixing the plastic waste with bitumen, a polymerized mis is produced, which when used for road constructions, provides extra resistance and durability to them.
Dr. R. Vasudevan found this innovation as an alternative to ban plastic to manage plastic waste. He first carried out this process on the campus of the college and the plan succeeded.
This idea was later used in the construction of roads not only in Madras but also in so many other states in South India. He even agreed to share his technology with the Indian Government for free. A lot of foreign countries also showed interest in using this innovation.
He not only used plastic waste in road construction but in many other ways as well. He made plastome by covering a stone with plastic and it is very strong. And he proposed the idea of using plastome in building toilets.
The main thing is he is concerned about the existing problems in our country and he wants to find some solutions for them. He wants that every single road should be replaced with the plastic-tar road as the condition of roads and management of plastic waste both are major concerns.
Apart from all the success and respect He has received as a scientist, what's best about him is that he is a very modest person. He never takes credit for what he does. He always thanks God for everything he has done.
He is indeed an inspiration for all of us. There is so much to learn from him, be it his way of rethinking and innovating or his modesty.
Written by - Nidhi Jha
Edited by - Akanksha Sharma
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