Madurai, Jan 22 : The improper and ineffective plastics waste management system adopted currently in India has led to the plight of litter and plastics have been targeted as a sole element responsible for it, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers M K Azhagiri said today.

In fact, plastics were the wonderful material of choice for a variety of applications and the problem was not with plastics but with the common man who need to be educated for its safe disposal after its intended use, he said while inaugurating National Workshop on Plastics Waste Management here.

''The increased consumption of plastics both in domestic and industrial sectors has resulted in generation of plastics waste, which needs to be curbed to avoid environmental problems. There is growing concern, particularly in the developed countries, over the issue of Plastics Waste Management. But the situation in India at present is not so alarming, since the plastics consumption and waste generation are much lower than the developed nations,'' he said.

Mr Azhagiri said the projection of plastics waste as an environmental problem in today's society had created tremendous pressure on plastics users, processors and material manufacturers.

Further the widespread negative campaign by environmentalist, media, NGOPs against plastic had brought about a complete change of perception in evaluating the wonderful material of plastics, its usefulness and significant contributions towards enhancing the living standards at par with developed nations, he added.