TUESDAY, JULY 01, 2025
Plastic Pollution: A Call for Stewardship and Sustainable Action
Published on Jun 3, 2025
By EMN
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- As we observe World Environment Day 2025 with the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution Globally,” we are reminded of the urgent need to confront one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. Plastic, a product of human innovation, is admired for its versatility and affordability. Today, it permeates nearly every aspect of our lives—be it packaging, consumer goods, electronics, or even the clothes we wear. However, the very qualities that make plastic so useful—its durability, light weight, and resistance to degradation—also make it the most persistent and damaging pollutants threatening our planet today.
- The global surge in plastic production has been accompanied by an alarming rise in plastic waste. Defined as any plastic material discarded after use, plastic waste has outpaced our ability to manage it effectively. Much of it ends up in landfills or, worse, scattered across landscapes and water bodies, where it persists for centuries. Plastic pollution is now recognized as a critical driver of climate change, ecological damage, and public health risks.
- India, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, generates an estimated 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every single day—totalling approximately 9.5 million tonnes annually (Source: Central Pollution Control Board). Shockingly, only 8% of this waste is recycled, according to the National Circular Economy Roadmap for Reducing Plastic Waste in India.
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- Understanding the Impact
- Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of plastic debris in the environment. This includes everything from large, visible waste like bags and bottles to tiny microplastics that contaminate the food chain. It manifests in several destructive forms:
- • Plastic debris: Discarded items like bags, wrappers, and bottles are often ingested by animals or cause entanglement, leading to injury or death.
- • Marine contamination: Oceans are inundated with floating plastic, harming marine life and disrupting the aquatic food chain.
- • Soil degradation: Plastics in landfills and open fields release toxins, reducing soil fertility and threatening food security.
- • Health risks: Microplastics have entered our food and water supply, posing unknown but serious risks to human health.
- The causes of plastic pollution are many and interlinked:
- • Plastic’s low cost and mass availability make it the material of choice for manufacturers and consumers.
- • Rapid urbanization and population growth have led to skyrocketing demand for cheap, disposable products.
- • The widespread use of single-use plastics—bottles, straws, wrappers, etc. has worsened the problem.
- • A chronic failure to recycle and a lack of awareness and infrastructure exacerbate the crisis.
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- The Local Context and Call to Action
- Our own state, Nagaland, is not immune. Waste management infrastructure has often failed due to technical or administrative shortcomings. Projects have been left non-functional due to issues like lack of trained personnel or absence of basic facilities such as transformers.
- While new waste management initiatives are reportedly underway, it is imperative that these are executed with sincerity and a long-term vision—not merely as a means to tap into central government funding. We must foster a culture of accountability and ensure that such projects are sustainable, community-driven, and technically sound.
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- Faith and Environmental Responsibility
- In Nagaland—a Christian-majority state with a strong faith-based community—the role of the Church is vital. Genesis 2:15 reminds us that “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” This is not just a verse, but a divine mandate for stewardship.
- It is disheartening to see that many prayer centers and gatherings contribute to environmental degradation through improper waste disposal, especially of plastic items like PET bottles and snack wrappers. Burning plastics or discarding them in open areas reflects a lack of awareness and disregard for creation. Faith and action must go hand in hand. Environmental stewardship is not an optional virtue—it is a reflection of our obedience to God’s call.
- If we claim to live by the commandments yet remain indifferent to the earth’s suffering, our faith practice remains incomplete.
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- Solutions and Steps Forward
- We must act decisively—both at individual and institutional levels.
- Individual Actions:
- • Carry reusable bags, water bottles, and containers.
- • Refuse single-use plastics wherever possible.
- • Choose products with minimal or biodegradable packaging.
- • Practice proper waste segregation and recycling.
- Government and Community Actions:
- • District Task Forces must actively and regularly enforce the single-use plastic ban.
- • The government must invest in recycling infrastructure and support local innovation.
- • Campaigns should be conducted to educate the public about the dangers of plastic waste.
- • Eco-friendly industries—producing alternatives like paper bags, paper cups, bamboo utensils, and areca products—should be encouraged through subsidies and technical support.
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- A Shared Responsibility
- As we reflect on the theme of this year’s Environment Day, let us remember that reversing the plastic crisis requires more than policy—it calls for a change in mindset, lifestyle, and spiritual commitment. Whether as policymakers, faith leaders, consumers, or entrepreneurs, each of us has a role to play.
- Let this not be just another commemorative day. Let it be the turning point toward a cleaner, safer, and more compassionate world. When we care for the earth, we honour the Creator. When we reduce plastic waste, we protect both people and planet.
- Together, let us choose responsibility over convenience, stewardship over neglect, and legacy over indifference.
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- Er. Aghali A. Swu
- Environmentalist
Nagaland Districts
