It is the most commonly found solid waste causing a major ecological threat. Polythene or plastic. It is also one of the most abundant commercially produced synthetic product and accounts for 60 per cent of the total plastic production. It is better known by experts as a low density polythene or LDPE.
Declared hazardous under 1989 Basel Convention, polythene is a notorious culprit in the global environment as it is not biodegradable meaning they remain in the environment for years together, causing it great harm. An estimated one million birds and 10,000 marine animals die each year as a result of ingestion of plastic.
Polythene has become almost indispensable as it is versatile, light weight, low cost and strong. But it has also left environment scientists scratching their heads.
Natural degradation of such substances (polythene) by microorganisms present in the environment would be the most environment....
