The Singapore-based nonprofit organisation, ‘Alliance to End Plastic Waste’, has announced plans to invest between USD 70 million and USD 100 million in India over the next five years, as part of their mission to reduce plastic waste. They are supported by a total budget of USD 500 million for environmental projects, including a USD 100 million allocation specifically for India, with the remainder set aside for South East Asia and China.
About the Alliance to End Plastic Waste
Founded in 2019, the Alliance to End Plastic Waste is a non-profit organisation dedicated to addressing the serious issue of plastic waste pollution. Each year, an estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste ends up in our oceans. The Alliance, which consists of nearly fifty companies involved in the plastics industry, has pledged to invest USD 1.5 billion towards solutions to prevent this leakage, recover plastic waste, and create value from it.
Investment Announcement on World Nature Conservation Day
The investment into India was announced on World Nature Conservation Day, celebrated annually on July 28th, to raise awareness of the importance of natural resources and encourage conservation efforts. Over-exploitation and misuse are depleting Earth’s natural resources at an alarming rate.
Current Initiatives in India
The Alliance is currently involved in Project Aviral, which aims to reduce plastic waste in the Ganga river. The project seeks to pilot an approach to address waste management challenges, focusing specifically on strengthening integrated plastic waste management systems.
Worldwide Initiatives
In collaboration with the UN-Habitat, the Alliance is working towards implementing solutions for a circular economy, creating business and livelihood opportunities while enhancing resource recovery. They plan to use the UN-Habitat Waste Wise Cities (WWC) Tool to map waste flows and assess potential plastic leakage from waste management systems. This collaboration supports the WWC Challenge to clean up and establish sustainable waste management in 20 cities worldwide by 2022.
Moreover, they are also implementing the Zero Plastic Waste Cities initiative in India and Vietnam. The initiative focuses on improving municipal waste management, repurposing collected waste and preventing it from entering the ocean. The program also aims to develop sustainable social businesses that contribute to improving livelihoods while preventing plastic waste pollution.
Plastic Waste: A Global Scenario
Since 1950, over 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced, 60% of which has ended up in landfills or the natural environment. Of all the plastic waste ever produced, only 9% has been recycled, 12% incinerated, with the remaining 79% accumulated in landfills, dumps or the natural environment. By 2050, it is projected that the amount of plastic in seas and oceans will weigh more than the fish, a testament to the magnitude of the problem.
Indian Scenario
India currently generates around 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste daily and fails to collect over 10,000 tonnes of this. While India’s per capita plastic consumption is less than 11 kg, significantly lower than the United States (109 kg), it is found that reintegrating plastic waste back into the supply chain could yield an annual economic benefit of Rs. 40 lakh crore by 2050.
Government Interventions
The Group of 20 (G20) environment ministers agreed to adopt a new framework to address marine plastic waste on a global scale. In India, the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, mandates every local body to be responsible for infrastructure for segregation, collection, processing, and disposal of plastic waste. Additionally, the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2018 introduced the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), shifting the responsibility of waste treatment or disposal of post-consumer products to producers.
The Way Forward
Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach by the government in policy-making, ensuring strict implementation of regulations, and promoting economically affordable and ecologically viable alternatives. Behavior changes from citizens are also crucial for progress. Actions such as proper waste segregation, responsible waste management, and eliminating single-use plastic can all contribute towards a more sustainable future.
Last Modified: February 8, 2024