Here’s how India is breaking up its toxic relationship with Plastic
As nations around the world are fighting to curb the ever-increasing plastic pollution, India is not far behind. In this article, we have highlighted two key initiatives taken up by India in the war against plastic.
For so long, plastic has persistently been a matter of concern. An environmental debate without addressing the role of Plastics is almost impossible. Knowing that of all the plastic produced to date, only about 9-10% of it has been recycled, only aggravates the concern?[1].
Being a cheap raw material to work with, plastic has made its way everywhere. We have used it to the extent that it is now present even in our bloodstream! For the first time, in a recent study, scientists detected the presence of microplastic in human blood?[2]. Not just in the bloodstream but it is also in our lungs! A group of scientists recently detected the presence of 39 microplastics in the lung tissue of a living human body. The research is clear evidence that we are inhaling microplastics as we breathe?[3]. This alarming information should be a wake-up call. Nevertheless, the world is trying to make amends.
The Global Plastic Treaty - a solution to the crisis
The 5th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) in Nairobi on 2nd March 2022, saw the endorsement of a historic resolution to end global plastic pollution. The treaty has been signed by nearly 200 nations, believing it to be a landmark victory since the 2015 Paris Agreement. Over the next two years, a comprehensive resolution will be developed covering the entire lifecycle of plastic, including production, design, and disposal?[3].
Plastic has become ubiquitous. It can be found in some, or the other forms on the highest of peaks and the deepest of ocean floors. Irresponsible disposal of plastic, which ultimately finds its way into the ocean, has led to the formation of large garbage patches. The Great Pacific Garbage patch, floating between Hawaii and California, is believed to be 1.6 million square kilometres long. This is three times the size of France!?[5].
Stringent regulations on the use of plastic have been the need of the hour for a long. The global plastic treaty, thus, gives hope. Of the many signatories of this treaty, one is our beloved India. Like the rest of the world, India is no less in creating plastic trash. The nation ranks 15th when it comes to plastic pollution[6]. As per studies, the generation of plastic waste in India has almost doubled in the last five years[7]. Our nation generates over 25000 tonnes of plastic waste daily, this is equivalent to 1000 fully-loaded trucks with a capacity of 25 tonnes![8].
Considering the harmful effects of plastic, such statistics need to be addressed and dealt with. And as a means to deal with the issue, India is certainly taking efforts at a gradual pace. Here’s how:
A pact to make it right?[9]
Last year, India adopted an ambitious, collaborative initiative – India Plastics Pact, that aims to bring together businesses, governments and NGOs to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics in their value chain. It is a collaboration between WWF India and CII with CII-ITC’s Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (CESD) and supported by WRAP, a global NGO based in the UK.
The Plastics Pact is a growing movement, which is being adopted worldwide. India is one of the nations that has committed to combat the ever-increasing plastic pollution through this pact, and also the first to do so in Asia.
The pact aims to:
The pact has set out 4 targets:
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Hundreds of Indian companies have signed up for the Plastics Pact, all of which are receiving tailor-made technical guidance and support to achieve the above-mentioned targets. One of the best parts is that the support is very much customized to the Indian context, making it relevant to adopt.
All the member businesses are expected to report to WWF India and CII on an annual basis to monitor their progress on the targets. Download this?brochure?to learn more about the pact and a way to make your business a part of this movement.
A nationwide ban from July 2022?[10]
Another significant initiative, which is set to begin in July 2022, is the nationwide ban on certain plastic items. With the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, the Centre will be prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, import, stocking, sale and use of multiple single-use and other plastic items from the first of July, 2022.
The items under prohibition include:
Since September 2021, India had increased the thickness of plastic carry bags from 50 microns to 75. This thickness is expected to increase to 120 microns from December 2022. The reason behind this is to hinder the ability of the material to break down. The thinner the plastic, the greater its ability to break down and mix with the soil, degrading the quality of the soil. This disintegration has adverse effects on life underwater as well[9].
The plastic packaging waste, which is not covered under the ban will be handled and managed in a sustainably responsible manner with the help of extended producer’s responsibility.
Conclusion
Though plastic is one of the cheapest and most versatile raw materials out there, it is extremely hazardous to the environment, when handled irresponsibly. It is going to be here for centuries. What makes matters worse is that it doesn’t biodegrade but instead disintegrates into tiny bits of microplastic, polluting the atmosphere, soil, oceans, and not to forget - humans too. Let’s not forget that plastic is derived from fossil fuels, a source that is, largely, the root cause of climate change. Thus, improving circularity in the plastic economy is of absolute importance
Wish to sustainably manage plastic across the supply chain? Contact Carbon Mandal to learn how. Reach out to Carbon Mandal to kickstart your organization’s transition to sustainability.?Click here
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