Out of the 6.3 billion metric tons of plastic waste generated globally, only about 9 percent has been recycled. Among that recycled portion, merely 10 percent has undergone multiple recycling processes. Additionally, 12 percent of the waste has been incinerated. Consequently, a staggering 79 percent of the plastic produced worldwide ends up in landfills or pollutes our oceans and waterways.
According to data from 35 states and union territories, the estimated plastic waste generation for the year 2020-21 is approximately 4,126,997 tonnes per annum (TPA). While the recycling rate for plastic waste stands at around 60%, a substantial portion still ends up in landfills or the environment, contributing to pollution of land and water bodies, particularly affecting marine life.
The Indian government has implemented various initiatives to tackle plastic waste, such as the Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016), which promote waste segregation and recycling, as well as the Swachh Bharat Mission, aimed at raising awareness and improving waste management practices. However, challenges persist, including inadequate waste management infrastructure, public compliance issues, and the need for better enforcement of regulations.
Plastic Waste in India
Telangana produces the largest amount of plastic waste, followed by Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, data from the past six years (2016-21) indicates that per capita plastic waste generation has almost doubled in these five years.
The data for Ladakh is not available. Also, the data for Meghalaya and West Bengal for the year 2020-21 were not reported. While the plastic waste generated in Telangana and Uttar Pradesh grew more than double between 2019-21, it slightly reduced in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
Combating plastic pollution
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India has recently amended the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, through the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024. These updates represent a major initiative to combat plastic pollution in India, focusing specifically on microplastics and establishing stricter standards for biodegradable plastics. However, the rules do not detail which chemical tests should be used to verify the absence of microplastics or the required reduction levels for their elimination.
On Wednesday, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that his ministry has mandated the use of plastic waste in highway construction, with 8 million tonnes of waste already repurposed for the national highways between New Delhi and Mumbai. Speaking at the conclusion of the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' campaign, Gadkari highlighted the environmental and economic advantages of incorporating waste into infrastructure projects, pointing out that recycling waste not only helps reduce pollution but also generates employment opportunities.
India is one of the 12 major contributors of plastic waste in the world. This escalating crisis underscores the theme of Swachh Bharat Mission 2024: Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskar Swachhata, which emphasizes the importance of ingraining cleanliness as a fundamental habit in individuals and society at large. One of the key objectives of SBM 2.0 is to promote waste segregation among citizens, which facilitates the recovery of low-value materials and simplifies waste processing. Additionally, the initiative aims to empower cities to achieve zero waste status, highlighting a commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
Steps towards utilization of this waste in road construction, awareness among people and effective policies can help the nation achieve the goals to eradicate the plastic waste.
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