EKLAVYA EDUCATION

Chemically, polythene is a polymer of ethylene of high molecular weight. It is a thermoplastic material which when heated gets softened due to weakening of intermolecular forces and melts. On cooling it solidifies again. Most of the polythene are brightly coloured. Toxic chemicals or binding agents like lead and cadmium are added to the polythene. Some times, colour may get pinched off from it which affects the food stuff kept in it and causes toxic effects. Red and Yellow coloured polythene are especially harmful. The consumption pattern of polythene shows that while 85% of the common people use upto 15 polythene bags per week, the use is upto 300 polythene bags per week in 50% of the shopkeepers and more than 500 polythene bags per week in about 40% of the shopkeepers. Maximum use of polythene is as multipurpose carry-bag for carrying fruit and vegetables, grocery item etc. while 18% of the population use it for packaging purpose. According to this survey although 80% of the populat