A study published in the journal Nature suggests that India is the biggest contributor to global plastic pollution. According to the study, about 20 per cent (or one-fifth) of the total plastic waste generated worldwide is generated in India. India burns about 5.8 million tonnes (MT) of plastic every year and releases 3.5 billion tonnes of plastic into the environment (land, air, water). Overall, India contributes 9.3 billion tonnes of plastic to the world, which is significantly higher than other countries on this list – Nigeria (3.5 billion), Indonesia (3.4 billion) and China (2.8 billion).
Main reasons for high plastic pollution in India
The main reasons for high plastic pollution in India are as follows –
- Burning of plastic waste in the open: Every year about 5.8 million tons of plastic waste/garbage is burnt in the open in India, causing pollution and emission of toxic substances, which are harmful from both human health and environmental point of view.
- Rapidly increasing population and urbanization: Due to the rapid growth of population and urbanization in India, plastic consumption and waste generation is also increasing. This is increasing the demand for plastic products and packaging, which is increasing the problem of pollution.
- Discrepancies in waste collection data: Government figures show that 95% of waste is collected, while research shows that the actual collection rate is about 81%. This reveals a large gap in the efficiency of plastic waste management in India.
- Inadequate waste management infrastructure: India’s plastic waste management infrastructure is inadequate to manage the large volume of waste, with more unregulated dumping sites than sanitary landfills, indicating poor disposal measures and practices.
- Discrepancies in waste collection data: India’s official waste collection rate is reported to be 95%, while research suggests that the actual rate is around 81%, indicating a huge gap in management efficiency.
- Informal sector recycling: A lot of plastic waste in India is recycled in the informal sector, which is not even mentioned in official data. This makes it difficult to accurately assess data related to plastic pollution in India.
Key issues related to plastic waste management in India
The following are the key issues related to plastic waste management in India
Environmental impacts
- Blocking of waterways: Plastic waste blocks waterways, leading to flooding and marine pollution. This adversely affects marine life and plastic dissolves in water, harming marine life.
- Air pollution and affecting respiratory health: Burning of plastic releases toxic pollutants, which deteriorate air quality and affect respiratory health.
Public health
- Risk of microplastics: The entry of microplastics into water and food can cause long-term health problems, increasing the risk to human health.
- Spread of disease vectors: Plastic waste provides an ideal environment for the breeding of disease vectors, increasing the chances of spreading diseases like dengue and malaria.
Economic challenges
- Financial losses: According to a FICCI report, India may lose more than US$133 billion worth of material used in plastic packaging by the year 2030.
- E-commerce and packaging waste: The rapid growth of e-commerce has led to an increase in plastic packaging waste, most of which is difficult to recycle.
Regulatory and enforcement challenges
- Inconsistent enforcement: Inconsistent enforcement of plastic waste regulations and issues related to the extended producer responsibility system hinder effective management of waste.
- Global contribution: India is one of the largest contributors to global plastic waste.
Microplastic pollution in agriculture
- Impact on soil health: Use of plastic in agriculture and inadequate wastewater treatment leads to accumulation of microplastics in soil, affecting soil health and food security.
Technological and infrastructure constraints
- Inadequate facilities: Lack of waste segregation and processing facilities and lack of advanced recycling technology hinder effective plastic waste management. A widespread lack of waste tracking also complicates management efforts. Effectively addressing these problems requires a holistic approach, strong regulatory framework, and technological innovation.