World Environment Day

We marked World Environment Day earlier this month on 5th?June to raise global awareness about climate change and inspire positive action. This year’s theme,?#BeatPlasticPollution, focuses on the relatively less discussed topic of plastic waste. I would like to shed light on this issue that impacts our daily lives, and the role manufacturing industry leaders can play towards combating plastic pollution.

Plastic – A curse in disguise?

Plastic is derived from the Greek word ‘Plastikos’ – which means ‘capable of being shaped or moulded’. It has brought convenience and efficiency to various industries, transforming our lives in countless ways. However, as the world grapples with the escalating environmental crisis, we are more than beginning to realise the dire consequences of our excessive plastic consumption. As per an?article?published by the National History Museum, only 6% of plastic is made of recycled material, while the rest, 94%, comes from virgin materials. Most of this plastic is sourced from the petrochemical industry. Around a sixth of the world's industrial carbon dioxide emissions are attributed to plastic production; approximately 14% of all oil produced each year is consumed by it (Ashworth, 2022).

The role manufacturers can play towards reducing plastic waste.

While we drive our business objectives by the motto of ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ – I firmly believe that a strong impetus should be given to ‘Reduction’ of plastic usage before we are compelled to reuse and recycle it. As Sanders Defruyt, New Plastics Economy lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, says, “While recycling is part of the solution, we won’t recycle our way out of this situation”. Hence, it is crucial to contemplate implementing substantial reductions in the non-essential utilisation of plastic. By adopting sustainable production processes, optimising resource usage, and minimising waste generation, manufacturers can significantly decrease their contribution to plastic pollution. To begin with, manufacturers should minimise their reliance on single-use plastic and prioritise using sustainable materials and packaging alternatives. Furthermore, investing in research and development towards sustainable manufacturing processes can pave the way for a green future.

Initiatives at Apollo Tyres

At Apollo Tyres, in fulfilling our commitment towards sustainability, we are constantly reimagining our manufacturing process to minimise plastic usage. In this regard, as an initiative to reduce plastic material usage, the Company eliminated the application of polythene from gum in the apex and sidewall. Cure time reduction by approximately 1.5 minutes created additional production of around 12 MT/day, resulting in considerable savings in energy and a reduction in CO2 emissions.

On this World Environment Day, I urge everyone to come together and collectively address this pressing issue of plastic pollution. As individuals, consumers, and professionals, we can all effect change through conscious decision-making and responsible actions. Let us acknowledge the urgency of this matter and work towards a future where plastic waste is minimised, and the beauty of our planet is preserved for the coming generations.