The curious case of single-use plastics

Due to lower production costs and comparable durability, single-use plastics are now an everyday necessity. This necessity, however, is taking a heavy toll on our environment.?

The will to ban plastics has always been there at a policy level, but at the execution level, not much has changed. The recent ban by the central government has once again put the topic back on the front page.?

The demand to shift completely towards a circular economic model is gaining momentum. India is already on its way to becoming a circular economy. It earlier established a National Productivity Council (NPC) to promote a productivity culture in India. The 'Digital India' Program has a significant component for recycling electronic trash. The Swachh Bharat Mission is also about creating wealth out of waste.?

The directive that went into effect on July 1, is another step towards that goal. It encourages all states and territories to ensure that the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) or municipal organizations in their jurisdictions ban single-use plastic by the end of this month. India generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste daily, which is believed to be a very conservative estimate, with the number increasing each day. This initiative could not have come at a better time.?

But does it have the potential to solve 'all' the problem of single-use plastics? The solution isn't linear but a circular one.?

An ideal solution would be one that fixes all problems. However, it's not the case here. In fact, there can never be a "one-fit solution" to phase out plastic materials, be it single-use or biodegradables. Plastic, being in existence for almost 70 years, is modified into countless variants. Phasing out any form of plastic can be a difficult task and will negatively impact businesses dependent on those particular variants.

An outright ban would be even more disastrous for the industry. At least for now, replacing all plastic materials with a reliable alternative does not seem to be a viable option. Pushing towards other options that are not affordable or accessible will only force people to return to primarily harmful and cheaply available materials.?

For example, paper straws are 10 times more expensive to produce than plastic straws, owing to the material needed. Also, several substances in paper straws, such as dyes and whiteners, are harmful for the consumer. Some of these elements are absorbed when dipped in liquid for an extended period of time.

One of the largest snack manufacturers in India pointed out that there is insufficient local manufacture of alternatives, which adds to the import costs, making the final alternative 250% more expensive.?

In India, due to its diverse geography and culture, a solution that might work in one part of the country may or may not work in other regions. We also need to contemplate our consumption habits before coming up with a policy regarding plastic.

Let's face this, we, as human beings, are now addicted to the "use & throw" lifestyle and it is very difficult to social engineer a change this big.?

In our everyday lives, we hardly consider the consequences of piling up thousands of tons of plastic, which are a direct result of our small unnoticeable habits.

Here is another fact: Almost half of the plastic waste produced in India gets dumped unscientifically. Yes, 40% of all the plastic you have used till date has not been processed properly.

So, can a ban alone ring about the desired result? You know the answer.?

The fundamental problem with plastic is not the quantity but the process.?

We are using it the wrong way. The problem lies with the single-use of plastic. Even materials like paper bags, which are assumed to be eco-friendly, have serious environmental implications when used just once.

The alternatives to plastic are cardboard, paper bags, wood, stainless steel, palm leaf banana-bamboo leaves, etc. These biodegradables are often perceived as 'The' solution, but everything we buy has an environmental footprint, even biodegradables.?

Surprisingly, plastics have the highest reuse value among other alternatives. A simple life cycle analysis of a product tells us its efficiency to reuse.??

For example, the life cycle analysis of a food delivery box made from sustainable plastics (like an InfinityBox) used 40 times over and over emits 10 times less greenhouse gasses than any other single-use material.

It is the single-use 'nature' of plastic that is harmful. Therefore, a circular economic model is the most efficient way to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics.?

The UN characterizes a circular economy as a new approach to producing value and wealth (of products) by extending product lifespan and shifting the waste from the end of the supply chain to the beginning - in effect, utilizing resources more effectively by reusing them.

Reusing plastic products will help us reduce the 'waste tsunami' we have witnessed for decades.?

Right now, it is difficult to say whether we will be able to phase out single-use of plastics or not.?

We certainly know that the alternative does not belong to the material but a process of recycling, reusing and creating a circular economy around it.

In the recent Stockholm conference, India pitched for mindful consumption, reduction of waste, and promotion of resource efficiency and circular economy to save the planet. There can not be a better time to mark India's contribution towards making this planet a better place by leading the initiative.?