05 Aug 2023 Plastic Pollution
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Plastic Pollution”. The topic “Plastic Pollution” has relevance in the Environment section of the UPSC CSE exam.
For Prelims:
Major Findings of Plastic Overshoot Day Report?
For Mains:
GS 3: Environment
Issues Associated with Plastic Waste in India?
Government Initiatives Related to Plastic Waste Management?
Way Forward?
Why in the news:
Swiss-based research consultancy Earth Action (EA) reported a significant tipping point on July 28, 2023 – the first-ever Plastic Overshoot Day for planet Earth. On this day, the amount of plastic waste surpassed the global waste management capacity, indicating a critical tipping point in the plastic pollution crisis.
Major Findings of Plastic Overshoot Day Report:
- Plastic Pollution Crisis: The report identifies an alarming plastic pollution crisis, with an estimated additional 68,642,999 tonnes of plastic waste entering nature in 2023.
- 12 Major Contributors: The report highlights that 12 countries, including India, are responsible for 52% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste. These countries are China, Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Mexico, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, and Kazakhstan.
- Africa’s High Mismanagement: Three African countries, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Kenya, have the highest mismanaged waste percentages, with Mozambique ranking first at 99.8%.
- India’s MWI Ranking: India stands at the fourth position on the Mismanaged Waste Index (MWI), indicating that a significant 98.55% of its generated waste is not managed appropriately.
- Short-Life Plastics: Short-life plastics, such as plastic packaging and single-use plastics, constitute around 37% of the total plastic used annually, posing a higher risk of leakage into the environment.
- Plastic Overshoot Day in India: On January 6, 2023, India reached its Plastic Overshoot Day, signifying that the country’s plastic waste generation exceeded its capacity for waste management.
- Per-Person Consumption: India’s per-person plastic consumption is significantly lower than the global average, with 5.3 kg compared to the global average of 20.9 kg.
Issues Associated with Plastic Waste in India:
- Poor Waste Management Infrastructure: Inadequate waste management infrastructure in India leads to improper disposal and pollution.
- Single-Use Plastic Products: The widespread use of single-use plastic items exacerbates the plastic waste problem.
- Marine Pollution: India’s coastal areas are affected by plastic waste, leading to marine pollution and its adverse impacts.
- Health Impacts: Improper disposal and burning of plastic can release harmful chemicals, affecting the health of communities living near waste disposal sites.
Government Initiatives Related to Plastic Waste Management:
- National Dashboard on Elimination of Single Use Plastic and Plastic Waste Management:
The National Dashboard on Elimination of Single Use Plastic and Plastic Waste Management is an initiative by the Government of India to monitor and track the progress of efforts to eliminate single-use plastics and improve plastic waste management in the country. It serves as a centralized platform to collect and analyze data related to single-use plastic consumption, waste generation, recycling, and disposal.
- Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022:
The Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022, are a revision to the existing Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The amendment aims to strengthen the regulatory framework and improve the management of plastic waste in India.
Key Amendments:
- EPR Compliance: The amendment mandates Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for various stakeholders involved in the manufacturing, import, and use of plastic products. Producers are required to take responsibility for the collection, recycling, and environmentally sound disposal of their products.
- Phase-out of Some Plastics: The amendment introduces a phased-out approach for certain single-use plastic items, targeting their eventual elimination.
- Registration of Producers: Manufacturers, importers, and brand owners of plastic products need to register with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ensure their compliance with EPR obligations.
- Plastic Waste Collection System: The amendment emphasizes the establishment of a robust plastic waste collection system and sets specific collection targets.
- Recycling Targets: The amendment sets recycling targets for various plastic products to promote a circular economy approach.
- Plastic Waste Management Plan: Producers need to submit a detailed Plastic Waste Management Plan outlining their strategies for plastic waste collection, recycling, and disposal.
- Project REPLAN:
Project REPLAN (REducing Plastic in Nature) is an initiative launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in India. The project aims to address the issue of plastic pollution by promoting responsible plastic waste management practices and reducing plastic leakage into nature.
Way Forward:
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Implementing EPR policies to hold producers accountable for plastic waste disposal and promote circular economy practices.
- Waste-to-Energy Plants: Investing in waste-to-energy plants to convert non-recyclable plastic waste into energy while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
- Designing Alternatives: Identifying and promoting alternatives to single-use plastics and working with product designers to develop recyclable or biodegradable materials.
- Supporting the UN Treaty to End Plastic Pollution: India’s role in addressing plastic pollution is crucial, and it should actively promote and support global initiatives to combat plastic pollution, such as the UN Treaty to End Plastic Pollution.
Overall, the report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies and coordinated efforts to tackle the plastic pollution crisis in India and globally. Implementing sustainable waste management practices, promoting responsible consumption, and developing alternatives to plastic are essential steps to address this pressing environmental issue.
Q.1 India introduced “extended producer responsibility” as a significant aspect in which of the following regulations?
(a) Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022
(b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999
(c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
(d) Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016
ANSWER: C
Q.2 Which of the following statements are true regarding the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022, introduced in India?
- Manufacturers and importers of plastic products are exempt from registering with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
- It provides a framework to strengthen the circular economy of plastic packaging waste
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWER: B
Q.3 Discuss the major causes and consequences of plastic pollution, with a special focus on its impact on marine environments. Provide suggestions for effective mitigation strategies to combat this pressing issue and ensure a sustainable future.
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