Point
Cadmium used in plastic bags is bioaccumulative & toxic; Plastics contain 54 potential carcinogens or cancer causing agents.

Counter Point
• Plastic bags (carry bags) are generally made of polyethylene, which being a chemically inert substance, does not pose any health hazard.
• The additives used in plastic bags are mainly antioxidants, approved by the regulatory authorities. There is no cadmium in either polyethylene or additives.
• Plastic do not contain cadmium and they are not bioaccumulative.
• Plastic bags do not produce any obnoxious or toxic fumes as such or upon controlled burning.
• There are no single plastics formulations / compounds / applications which contain 54 ingredients or components.

Misinformation campaign misleads the public.

Point
Plastic disposal by burning causes CO poisoning, endocrinal damage, hormone disruption, multiple cancer and affect human fertility.

Counter Point
Plastics are 100% recyclable via various routes:
• Plastic bags are made out of Polyethylene which consists of carbon & hydrogen only. When burnt under controlled conditions, polyethylene releases carbon dioxide and water vapour - same components found in the air we exhale when we breathe. The same gases are emitted when paper, cotton etc are also burnt.
• Any material - be it plastic, paper, firewood, cloth etc. when burnt under uncontrolled conditions may lead to incomplete combustion & generation of carbon monoxide (CO) & aldehydes etc. Open and uncontrolled burning is not an authorised disposal method. Even dry plant leaves are not allowed to be burnt - as per rule.
• Plastic bags in municipal solid waste streams improve the calorific value/energy content for use as Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) for incineration - a common practice in major cities in Europe & Asia.

For Indian economy, we recommend mechanical recycling of plastic bags as the first priority. As a second priority, where mechanical recycling is difficult, we recommend adoption of advanced (clean & green) incineration technologies like co-processing in cement kilns, already established in Indian condition, to recover energy.