India produces approximately 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. This is much more than what our neighbours China and Pakistan do. This growing problem is due to uncollected municipal waste. It poses a serious threat to both the environment and public health.
If we think on a global scale, India generates nearly 20 percent of the world’s total plastic waste. To put this into perspective, the amount of waste produced in India could fill approximately 604 Taj Mahals. If laid end-to-end, the total length of global plastic waste would encircle the globe over 1,500 times.
A recent University of Leeds report, published in Nature, utilised advanced AI models to track plastic waste across over 50,000 municipalities globally. It reveals that more than 90 percent of this waste is municipal, with over two-thirds of the world’s plastic pollution stemming from uncollected municipal waste. This problem is further exacerbated by the fact that 1.2 billion people-15 percent of the global population-lack access to essential waste collection services, worsening both environmental and public health impacts.
Plastic pollution has severe environmental consequences. It ends up in rivers and oceans, risking the marine ecosystem. Animals and birds often mistake plastic for food, leading to severe injuries and, in many cases, tragic deaths. Because plastic does not decompose easily, it remains in natural habitats for an extended period, causing long-term pollution. It has also been revealed that most of the plastic waste is burnt uncontrolled. This adds to the problem of air pollution.
Apart from the environmental harm, poor communities in various parts of the world bear the brunt of plastic pollution. People in these areas are exposed to harmful chemicals and plastic-burning residue. This leads to respiratory illnesses and other health issues. Improper disposal of plastics after their use could contaminate drinking water and end up harming public health.
The Indian government has taken various decisions and initiatives to reduce plastic usage. Measures like banning single-use plastic have faced various challenges. Major contributors to this are rapid urbanisation, inadequate waste management systems, and consumer habits. Other factors include unawareness or misinformation among vendors and consumers alike.
The absence of government incentives for manufacturers to produce eco-friendly packaging, coupled with a lack of regulatory mechanisms to monitor its use, hinders the green future progress. Eco-friendly packaging is often more expensive and less durable than plastic, which discourages both vendors and consumers from making the switch.
Despite the challenges, a few renowned companies are shifting towards more sustainable packaging solutions. New packaging innovations are being implemented that reduce plastic use by 90%. Paper-based packaging is in high demand to reduce plastic to align with global sustainability goals. However, this change comes with a set of challenges. Paper composites often contain non-fibre materials, complicating recycling. Eco-friendly alternatives may have a shorter shelf life and higher costs, hence making them less appealing to vendors.
While India still has a long way to go in dealing with its plastic pollution crisis, there are a few silver linings. Companies are developing recyclable materials, and global trends are promoting more sustainable practices. Nonetheless, greater government support is necessary to promote the use of eco-friendly alternatives. It is crucial to strengthen regulations, provide incentives to manufacturers, and raise public awareness to address the problem at its core. India can reduce its plastic footprint and safeguard both its environment and its people with collective efforts.
Recent innovations suggest that with sufficient investment in the necessary infrastructure and the development of effective recycling strategies, nearly two-thirds of plastic waste could be recycled. This improvement in recycling capabilities could reduce environmental stress by 20 to 50 percent.
However, mere technological interventions won’t work alone. It will also need the strong support of a robust social movement to stop the menace. The ever-growing consumerism will need to be replaced with traditional Indian values and a strong Indian ethos to curb this ever-increasing issue of plastic waste.
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