Madurai: The government is taking steps, such as recycling, to reduce quantum of plastic wastes which are are proving to be a threat for environment and ecology, Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister MK Alagiri said on Saturday.
Thirty percent of the plastic are recycled and efforts were being taken to increase quantum of recycling further, he said at the 'curtain raiser' function of 'India Chem 2010' conference to be held at Mumbai from October 28-30.
He said plastic wastes "are proving to be a threat for environment and ecology, worst than even effluents from chemical factories."
The conference would discuss ways of overcoming problems arising out of "plastic wastes", which had multiplied with development of industries in the country.
It would also focus on recycling plastic and converting its waste into fuel and other useful materials.
"Research is already on in a big way in this direction," Alagiri said.
In order to enhance dominance of India in chemical industry, more petroleum, chemical and petrochemical investment regions (PCPIRs) would be started, he said.
After the successful setting up of PCPIRs In Gujarat, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, efforts were on to set them in Tamil Nadu and Orissa, he said.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, June 05, 2010, 15:28