Plastic Pollution in India: Welcome back to “Science For Everyone”, ABP Live’s weekly science column. Last week, we looked at an intriguing study, which has found that odours we smell influence how we perceive different colours. If we have smelt a certain odour, it can change the way we perceive a familiar colour, according to the study, published in Frontiers in Psychology. This week, we explain how severe plastic pollution in India is, and what steps the government is taking to combat this threat to the environment.
Plastic pollution is a serious cause for concern because plastic is not biodegradable, and takes 20 to 500 years to decompose.
Check all the stories appearing in ABP Live’s weekly science column here.
Plastic pollution in India
Every year, about 9.3 million tonnes of plastic are produced in India. Over the past five years, plastic waste generation has quadrupled. During the pandemic, there was a surge in plastic production from e-commerce and food delivery services.
About 43 per cent of manufactured plastics in India are used for packaging purposes. Most of these are of single use.
The amount of plastic waste produced in India is not as much of a concern as improper waste management is. Plastic waste is ineffectively collected, managed, disposed and recycled in India.
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According to Recykal, a tech startup providing digital solutions to sustainability, plastic demand in India reached 20.89 million tonnes in 2021 to 2022. This was projected to increase to 22 million tonnes by 2023. In order to solve the problem of improper and ineffective plastic waste management and disposal, circular economy principles must be adopted, which is a model of production and consumption in which the life cycle of products is increased, and waste is reduced to a minimum through the sharing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling of existing materials as long as possible.
About 5000 registered units are associated with plastic manufacturing and recycling in 30 states and union territories in India, Recykal said on its website, citing a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In nine states and union territories, there are about 823 unregistered plastic manufacturing and recycling units.
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Informal sector does not follow proper waste disposal techniques
Another major hurdle associated with the disposal of plastic waste is that the informal sector (the self-employed section which is neither taxed nor monitored by the government, and mostly includes the labour force) handles 42 to 86 per cent of waste, does not follow proper disposal techniques, and diverts the majority of waste to landfills. Most importantly, they do not use proper technology for waste disposal, and the manner in which they deal with waste is not tracked transparently.
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India is able to recycle only 12% of its plastic waste
According to the Indian government, 60 per cent of the country’s waste gets recycled, but India is able to recycle only 12 per cent of its plastic waste, Recykal said on its website, citing Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) statistics based on CPCB data.
Of the remaining 88 per cent of plastic waste, 20 per cent is burnt because it is sent to co-incineration centres, plastic-to-fuel units, and used for road construction, and 68 per cent of the waste is unaccounted for.
According to The Energy and Research Institute (TERI), only 60 per cent of the total plastic waste is recycled. The average per capita consumption of plastic in India from 2014 to 2015 was 11 kilograms.
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Contribution of plastic waste to total solid waste
Plastic contributes to eight per cent of the total solid waste, according to CPCB data, a report by TERI said. Delhi produces the maximum quantity of plastic waste, followed by Kolkata and Ahmedabad.
Water and soft drink bottles constitute the largest amount of plastic waste from households.
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How uncollected plastic waste affects marine ecosystems
Uncollected plastic waste accounts for 40 per cent of waste dumped in landfills. Uncollected plastic waste clogs water bodies and pollutes streets, and also enters animal bellies.
Plastic waste is also accumulated in the ocean, which is a major cause for concern. Plastic waste enters oceans at an annual rate of 11 metric tonnes, the website said. Ocean plastic waste harms marine life and disrupts habitats. The waterways also get jammed due to plastic waste.
The seas and ocean around Mumbai, Kerala, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are among the most polluted water bodies in the world due to plastic waste, according to TERI.
Worldwide, at least 267 species are affected due to plastic waste. About 86 per cent of sea turtle species, 44 per cent of seabird species, and 43 per cent of marine mammal species are impacted.
Plastic wastes also consist of heavy toxic metals such as copper, lead, zinc, and cadmium, all of which are accumulated along sea shores, and adversely impact coastal ecosystems.
Lead and cadmium pigments are used in most plastics as additives, are hazardous, and leach out.
Greenhouse gases are also emitted from the plastic waste in landfills, with carbon dioxide and methane constituting 90 to 98 per cent of the gases.
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Why there is a huge accumulation of plastic waste in India
Increased urbanisation, plastic packaging for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) such as cosmetics, groceries, and food are the major reasons behind the huge accumulation of plastic waste in India. Not only does plastic waste harm humans, but also has a devastating impact on the environment.
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What measures can help curb plastic pollution in India?
Some ways to reduce plastic waste in India include avoiding the use of single-use plastics, using cloth bags while shopping, using glass or steel containers, avoiding cosmetics made of microplastics, and reusing and repurposing plastic packaging, among other steps, according to Recykal.
The Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 have made it compulsory for producers and brand owners to make plans in consultation with local bodies to introduce collect-back systems, or Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) systems.
In 2014, the collection efficiency was 80.28 per cent, according to CPCB estimates, the TERI report said. Out of the waste collected, only 28.4 per cent was treated. The rest of the waste was disposed of in landfills or open dumps.
In cities like Bangalore, Dry Waste Collection Centres which have a self-sustainable business model have been established. A monetised collection model for plastic waste will encourage companies and producers to judiciously and responsibly dispose of plastic waste.
Virgin plastics, which are the ones used in food packets, must be collected separately because they have a higher value compared to other plastics.
According to TERI, bio-based and biodegradable plastic which utilise starch, cellulose and polylactic acid as raw materials must be developed. It is important to promote the use of biodegradable plastic so that bioplastics will not be limited only to laboratories, but will also be used for commercial purposes.
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In India, manufacturing plants for bioplastics are located in Bengaluru and Chennai.
Some plastics can be recycled seven to nine times before they are no longer recyclable because they contain fibres which shorten every time they are recycled.
It is important to recycle plastics judiciously because every tonne of plastic waste recycled helps save about 3.8 barrels of petroleum, which would otherwise have been used to burn plastic waste.
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Certain technologies in India can help convert one kilogram of plastic to 750 millilitres of automotive grade gasoline, according to TERI.
Several cities also use shredded plastic waste to lay roads. For instance, in 2002, the Jambulingam Street in Chennai was built using plastic waste. It is one of India’s first plastic roads.
The National Rural Road Development Agency created roads about 7,500 kilometres long using plastic waste in 2015 to 2016.
In October 2023, the Department of Space sustainably used plastic waste to resurface roads at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Plastic waste was shredded, then mixed with materials required to make roads, processed at plants, and then used to resurface roads.
Non-recyclable, combustible plastic waste can be processed in a sound and environmentally-friendly manner by co-processing it in cement kilns.
What steps is the government taking to combat plastic pollution in India?
In the New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Declaration, the countries noted that they are determined to end plastic pollution. They welcomed a UN resolution which established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument in plastic pollution, the declaration said. This instrument will also focus on plastic pollution in the marine environment, and aim to complete its work by the end of 2024. The leaders also pledged to build on the G20 Marine Litter Action Plan.
On July 1, 2022, the Indian government implemented a ban on single-use plastics, a step which will help curb plastic pollution because single-use plastics account for 43 per cent of the plastic waste generated in India. The manufacturing, sale, distribution and use of single-use plastic have been banned.
“The Indian government has implemented several measures to combat plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices in the country. The five key steps taken by the government to combat plastic pollution include a ban on single-use plastics, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Plastic Waste Management Rules, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and the promotion of alternatives,” Dr Anjal Prakash, Research Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business and IPCC Author, India, told ABP Live.
A ban on various single-use plastic items has been imposed by the government in several states and Union territories. These include plastic bags, cutlery, cups, and straws. This ban aims to reduce the consumption and production of disposable plastic items, encouraging the use of more sustainable alternatives, said Dr Prakash. “The government has implemented EPR regulations, which make manufacturers and producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their plastic products, including collection, recycling, and proper disposal. This approach encourages companies to adopt more eco-friendly packaging and invest in recycling infrastructure.”
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The Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 are stringent rules which emphasise the proper collection, segregation, and recycling of plastic waste, Dr Prakash explained. “The rules also encourage the establishment of plastic waste management units and promote the use of plastic waste in road construction.”
The Plastic Waste Management Rules were established in 2016, and later revised in 2018 and 2022.
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“Through its smart city programs, the government of India is not only facilitating the implementation of long-term vision in solid waste management and smart technologies but also encouraging awareness campaigns to promote community participation in building the foundation of new collection and disposal systems,” Dr C.N. Tripathi, Professor, Anant School for Climate Action, Anant National University, Ahmedabad, told ABP Live.
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Mission is a noble initiative that focuses on creating awareness about cleanliness and waste management, including plastic waste. The campaign promotes responsible disposal of waste and aims to make India free from open defecation and litter, Dr Prakash explained.
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The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a nationwide cleanliness campaign launched by the Indian government in 2014 which creates awareness about the harmful impacts of plastic pollution and encourages proper waste disposal practices, Dr Tripathi explained.
Initiatives like the Plastic Waste-Free Villages programme are helping actively promote alternatives to plastic. This programme encourages the use of eco-friendly materials such as cloth bags, paper packaging, and biodegradable materials, said Dr Prakash. “The government has also emphasised the importance of recycling and waste segregation to minimise the impact of plastic waste on the environment. These steps, among others, highlight the government’s commitment to addressing plastic pollution in India. However, effective implementation, enforcement, and continued public awareness and participation are crucial to achieving meaningful and lasting results in combating plastic pollution.”
What will happen by the end of the decade if plastic pollution is not effectively controlled?
If plastic pollution is not controlled effectively, then by the end of the decade, unprecedented heat waves will occur, temperatures will increase to an unbearable extent, food production will be impacted, healthcare burden will increase, and diseases will prevail. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will decrease substantially. India will experience dire consequences in the socio-economic sectors, and the environment will be harmed.
The reason why plastic pollution exacerbates the urban heat island effect is that in densely populated regions, accumulated plastic waste traps heat and prevents natural cooling. This also intensifies heat waves and heat-related health risks.
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“Plastic pollution can exacerbate the urban heat island effect, leading to higher temperatures in densely populated areas. Accumulated plastic waste traps heat and prevents natural cooling, intensifying heat waves and heat-related health risks,” Dr Prakash explained.
If plastic pollution remains uncontrolled, India’s economy will be affected adversely because plastic waste accumulation can hinder tourism, damage ecosystems necessary for the sustenance of industries such as fisheries and agriculture, and increase costs related to waste management and healthcare. All these will impact the GDP, said Dr Prakash.
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Plastic pollution also impacts agricultural practices and food production because microplastics can contaminate the soil, impacting crop growth and quality, Dr Prakash explained. “Plastic debris in water bodies can also harm aquatic life, affecting the fishery industry and disrupting the food chain.”
Plastic pollution will increase the burden on the healthcare sector because exposure to toxic chemicals released by plastic waste will lead to respiratory ailments, hormonal imbalances and disruptions, and also carcinogenic effects, said Dr Prakash. “Improper waste management can result in the spread of diseases through contaminated water sources. Plastic pollution can contribute to the proliferation of vector-borne diseases. Accumulated plastic waste provides breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes, increasing the risk of diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya.”
If plastic pollution is not controlled, it will lead to increased littering, clogged drainage systems, and the contamination of natural ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, posing a threat to marine life, said Dr Tripathi.
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), about 15,343 tonnes of waste generated in 60 major Indian cities are dumped into south Asian seas every day, Dr Tripathi explained. “Plastic pollution can have indirect economic consequences, including clean up and waste management costs, can tarnish India’s natural beauty and affect tourism. It can also contaminate soils, potentially affecting agricultural productivity. Improper disposal and burning of plastic waste release toxic air pollutants, which can increase the risk of respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases. It can also contaminate drinking water sources contributing to waterborne and vector borne disease. Plastic pollution can exacerbate the heat island effect in urban areas, where plastics in landfills and littered areas can absorb and retain heat, leading to localised temperature increases.”
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If effective control measures are not implemented, India may face a scenario of worsening environmental degradation, compromised public health, economic setbacks, and ecological imbalances, Dr Prakash concluded. “The urgency lies in implementing stringent regulations, promoting sustainable alternatives, enhancing waste management infrastructure, and raising awareness among the population to prevent such a bleak future and safeguard India’s well-being.”