This year’s World Environment Day theme echoes an urgent and
familiar call: ‘Ending Plastic Pollution globally.’ The repetition of this
theme is not a coincidence but is a desperate alarm, a reminder that we have
not done enough. The Republic of Korea will host World Environment Day, 2025
with a focus on ending plastic pollution globally in a continued effort to
contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to
the Plastic Overshoot Day Report, 2024, the plastic waste generated worldwide
is 220 million tons per year and as per an OECD Report, globally only 9% of
plastic waste is recycled, while 19% is incinerated, 50% (end up) in the
sanitary landfills and the remaining 22% disposed in uncontrolled dumpsites.
India generates approximately 41 lakh TPA (tons per annum) of plastic waste and
as per the 2021 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reports, per capita
plastic waste generation has almost doubled over the last five years. The
statistics are alarming and it is imperative to note that waste generated data
does not include the rural areas and therefore is underestimated. 13% out of
the total plastic waste generated in India is recycled and as per the United
Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) country-wise plastic data, it was
revealed that India mismanages more than 80% of its plastic waste whereby it is
dumped in uncontrolled dumpsites, burned or disposed into the drains from where
it flows into the major water bodies.
In an effort to address the growing issue of plastic waste
management in the country, India’s ban on identified single-use plastics came
to force with effect from 1st of July, 2022 under the aegis of Plastic Waste
Management Amendment Rules, 2021 aimed at curbing pollution and promotion of
eco-friendly alternatives. The CPCB is mandated to monitor compliance, enforce
the ban and impose penalties on violators which are to be implemented by the
States through the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs). However while
progress has been made, challenges still remain.
The Global Stance on Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is a major transnational environmental
issue, posing significant risks to ecosystem, human health and economy. Plastic
has infiltrated every aspect of our lives; from marine ecosystems to the
highest peak of Mount Everest, from human placenta to even the human brain
tissues. Plastic pollution is considered to cause global environmental disaster
that puts communities and livelihoods at risk resulting in a wide range of
hidden costs for the economy.
Following the UNEP’s fifth Environment Assembly in March
2022, 175 UN member states adopted a resolution to develop an internationally
legally binding instrument to address plastic pollution by 2024 through
coordinated action on a global scale. The resolution aims to develop a global
treaty addressing plastic’s full life cycle—from production to disposal.
Launched in late 2022, negotiations are set to conclude by end of 2025 at the
Second part of the fifth session for the Global Plastic Treaty. UNEP and the
member states recognises that the rewards of fixing plastic pollution are
multifaceted; cleaner oceans and lands, lessened public health hazards, greener
ecosystems and stronger economies through adoption of circular economy. The
UNEP reaffirms General Assembly Resolution of 2015 where the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development was adopted and also the principles of the Rio
Declaration on Environment and Development, 1992. Prior to the aforementioned
resolutions, the global consensus on addressing the issues of pollution has
been highlighted, recognised and reaffirmed in multiple key global efforts
which can be traced way back to the 1972 Stockholm Conference. These efforts
set the stage for the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC)
process which is currently in process and witnessing an impasse on several
contentious issues.
India’s Effort in Tackling Plastic Pollution
India understands its responsibility in tackling the
challenge of plastic pollution and has banned 19 identified single-use plastic
items based on the criteria of high littering potential and low utility. In
order to address the issue and phase out single-use plastics, CPCB issued a
Comprehensive Action Plan on February 1, 2022 to all the State Pollution
Control Boards (SPCBs) and the Pollution Control Committees (PCCs). In order to
streamline the curb of plastic pollution, single-use plastics have been banned
which ranges from items like plastic sticks used for ear buds, balloons, flags,
candies, ice-cream, to plastic cutleries, wrapping or packing films used in
sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets. Additionally, polystyrene
(thermocol) used for decoration and plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns
were also identified.
As per the PWM Rules, 2016, there is a complete ban on
sachets using plastic material used for storing, packing or selling gutkha,
tobacco and pan masala. Following the amendment of the existing rules in 2021,
the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of carry bags
made of virgin or recycled plastic less than seventy-five microns has been
banned with effect from 30th September, 2021. Currently the permissible
thickness for plastic bags has increased and prohibition is applied to carry
bags lesser than 120 microns with effect from December 31, 2022. India through
the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016 has put in place the Extended
Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime on plastic packaging.
Ban of SUPs in Nagaland
In accordance with directives from the Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB), a ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) was implemented in
Nagaland starting in 2022. The District Task Force (DTF), in collaboration with
the State Pollution Control Board, undertook various measures to ensure
stakeholder compliance and mitigate the environmental impacts of plastic
pollution. These initiatives included awareness programs, workshops,
capacity-building initiatives, and enforcement drives. However, several challenges
hinder effective enforcement, including resistance from producers, shifting
consumer behaviour, insufficient manpower and a shortage of trained personnel
to monitor and enforce compliance.
Challenges remain in preventing the influx of prohibited plastic
items into the state, primarily due to insufficient enforcement capacity and
low public awareness. The persistent demand for banned plastics fuels their
widespread availability in the market, further complicating compliance efforts
for regulatory authorities. Despite the prohibition of single-use plastics
being enforced with penalties of up to INR10,000 for repeat offenses, many
vendors continue to use banned items, opting to pay fines rather than risk
losing customers. Vendors argue that refusing to provide plastic bags leads to
a decline in sales, as customers often refuse to purchase goods without them,
significantly impacting their businesses.
Despite existing challenges, there has been a noticeable
increase in the availability of alternatives to single-use plastics.
Furthermore, thicker-micron plastic bags as well as certified biodegradable
bio-plastics have been introduced as viable substitutes.
Bans Alone are Not Enough
The success of ban and enforcement is mixed. Through the
enforcement, there has been increased awareness, promotion of innovation in
production of sustainable alternatives and streamlining the EPR mechanism has
led to establishment of plastic recycling plants in the country. Behavioural
changes have been encouraged in various sectors whereby significant efforts
have also been made by the food delivery agencies by substituting plastic carry
bags to sustainable packaging alternatives like paper bags. The introduction of
alternatives to single use plastics in the market clubbed with awareness
generation by concerned Governmental and Non-Governmental stakeholders have
been instrumental in enforcing the ban on SUPs.
Streamlining EPR still remains a challenge. Aligning the
entire nation to EPR scheme is recognised to be a herculean task. The amount of
plastic waste been generated in India is not accurately measured as there
exists quite significant number of informal sectors who manages the plastic
waste and in the case of data projection by the states, rural areas are not
accounted. Additionally, in an overpopulated country like India, collective
participation of all stakeholders comes as a challenge. Alongside monitoring,
enforcement, awareness generation and control require compliance from all
stakeholders.
About 50-60% of the waste is managed by the informal sectors
which are not recognised and formalised. In fact, this sector has potential to
be included in the system to aid in collection, sorting, processing, storing
and trading waste materials in the recycling value chain. Formalising this
sector will aid in the circular economy model and also reduce the economic
burden of urban local bodies.
Reimagining ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’
The fight against plastic pollution must evolve beyond bans
and penalties. While enforcement remains crucial, lasting change requires
innovation, systemic shifts and inclusive participation. The theme of ‘Ending
Plastic Pollution Globally’ must focus on circular economy solutions, scalable
alternatives and behavioural transformation. One inspiring example comes from
Kerala where ‘Clean Kerala Company’ has revolutionised plastic waste management
by integrating informal waste pickers into the formal economy. The state
incentivises waste collection through reverse vending machines, promoted cloth
bag initiatives and establishing material recovery facilities (MRFs). By
formalising the informal sector, Kerala not only improved waste management
systems but also created green jobs proving that inclusivity is key to
sustainability. Innovation help build the gap between policy and practice and
therefore start-ups and initiatives aiding in addressing the issues of plastic
pollution must be incentivizsed and recognised.
Strict enforcement fails without voluntary compliance and
compliance remains weak without consistent enforcement. Nagaland’s struggle
with vendor non-compliance due to consumers’ demand highlights this paradox.
The fight against plastic pollution requires a cultural and behavioural shift
where sustainability is not seen as a regulatory burden but as shared civic
duty. As consumers, we wield immense power through simple acts of refusal.
Rejecting plastic items marks the crucial first step in driving change.
Carrying cloth bags and baskets to the market might seem like a small
individual action, but when multiplied across communities, these conscious
choices create a powerful collective impact. What appears as a minor personal
habit transforms into a significant movement when embraced by many, proving
that lasting environmental change begins with everyday decisions.
