Plastic Waste is a term that denotes plastic materials that persist in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years due to their non-biodegradable nature. This differentiates them from other forms of waste such as paper, food peels, and leaves, which are biodegradable. Among the major polluting plastic wastes are microplastics and single-use plastics.
Microplastics, tiny plastic pieces of less than five millimeters, often originate from various sources such as cosmetics and personal care products, industrial scrubbers, textiles, and virgin resin pellets used in plastic manufacturing processes. Single-use plastic, on the other hand, refers to disposable material that can be used only once before it is either discarded or recycled.
The Impact of Plastic Waste and Related Issues
The issues associated with plastic waste are numerous and significant. One such issue is the large quantity of uncollected plastic waste, with over 10,000 tonnes a day remaining uncollected. The packaging industry, which is the biggest consumer of plastics in India, has been criticized for using unsustainable packaging, leading to projected losses of almost 133 billion dollars worth of plastic material value over the next decade.
Moreover, the rise in popularity of online retail and food delivery apps has significantly contributed to the increasing plastic waste. For instance, India’s biggest online delivery startups, Swiggy and Zomato, reportedly deliver about 28 million orders each month. This continuous usage and disposal of plastics upset the food chain, causing problems for larger animals that depend on smaller organisms for food.
Challenges in Plastic Waste Management in India
The two key steps involved in managing plastic waste – collection and recycling, and end-of-life disposal – are not being properly executed in India. The responsibility of plastic waste collection, which lies with local government bodies, producers, importers, and brand owners, is often carried out by ragpickers. As a result, 42%-86% of plastic waste in India flows through the informal sector to material recovery facilities operated by multinational corporations in partnership with local governments or otherwise.
While the Indian government reports that the country recycles 60% of its plastic waste, this figure predominantly refers to specific types of polymers such as PET bottles. In reality, India is merely recycling 12% of its plastic waste through mechanical recycling. Moreover, approximately 20% of plastic waste is disposed of through destructive methods such as co-incineration, plastic-to-fuel, and road making.
Government Initiatives for Plastic Waste Management
Recognizing the challenges associated with plastic waste, the government of India has taken several measures to tackle the problem. The National Dashboard on Elimination of Single Use Plastic and Plastic Waste Management was launched in June 2022 along with a mobile app for Single Use Plastics Grievance Redressal to check the sale, usage, and manufacturing of SUP in specific areas.
The targeted Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, introduced in 2022, prohibit the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of various single-use plastic items. It also mandates the Extended Producer Responsibility that makes manufacturers responsible for collecting and processing their products upon the end of the products’ lifetime.
Furthermore, initiatives such as India Plastics Pact, Mascot ‘Prakriti’ for spreading environmental awareness, and Project REPLAN by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) – aimed at reducing plastic bag consumption – have been introduced as part of the broader effort to manage plastic waste.
Our Approach Moving Forward
To further address the plastic crisis, certain strategies can be adopted. Identifying hotspots of plastic leakage associated with production, consumption, and disposal can assist governments in crafting effective policies. Designing alternatives for plastic items that can be replaced with non-plastic, recyclable, or biodegradable materials is another important step.
Promotion of Oxo-biodegradable plastics and leveraging technologies and innovation for better recycling processes could also prove beneficial. Lastly, adopting a circular economy for plastic management can significantly reduce material use and recapture “waste” as a resource, which would greatly contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.
Last Modified: February 18, 2024