Bengaluru: Plastic has always thought of to be a product with a lot of negative consequences. 

But vice-president Venkaiah Naidu thinks different. 

While addressing students of the Central Institute for Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology, he said, 'Plastic has been a saviour in preventing the spread (of coronavirus). The disposable plastic syringes, blood bags, gloves and other medical solutions with enhanced features and functionality have proven their worth during this difficult time,' he observed.

He further added, “The problem is not with plastic. The problem lies in our attitude towards handling plastic. Improper littering habits and lack of awareness on plastics waste management have resulted in many hazards”. 

On the 3Rs, he said, “The '3Rs' Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with segregation were the key to recycling and realising 'waste to wealth”. 

The plastics recycling market alone was expected to grow at 6.5 per cent to attain a market size of USD 53.72 billion by the end of 2023, he added.

Venkaiah Naidu noted that the growth of petrochemicals and chemicals has become inevitable as the demand in India was expected to grow at 7.5 per cent by the financial year 2023, added Yahoo.com.