A Hidden Pandemic

The Indian Express     17th March 2021     Save    

Context: Need to take some urgent steps to deal with plastic pollution as the Covid-19 Pandemic had halted our progress made so far.

Some steps taken so far to deal with plastic pollution

  • Complete phase out single-use plastics by 2022 by India: by creating better arrangements to collect, store, and recycle single-use plastic.
  • International Multiyear Assessment: by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with the support of Norway and Japan.
    • Projects like Counter MEASURE are used to find out the way plastic reaches rivers and oceans.
  • “Sea to Source: Ganges” Expedition: by National Geography; brought together four countries, including India and Bangladesh, to holistically study plastic pollution within the Ganges river basin.

Challenges in tackling plastic pollution

  • Impact of pandemic: Due to the rising demand for plastic for making masks, sanitiser bottles etc.
  • Low levels of recycling at present: only 9 % of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, while 79 % are found in natural systems.

Steps to be taken to deal with plastic pollution

  • Reduce the manufacture of new fossil fuel-based plastics.
  • Ensure waste collection operates at the same pace as waste generation: To alleviate the problem of plastic waste being end up in rivers. (developing waste-to-value cycle)
    • Segregating waste and used plastic for suitable treatment and recycling.
  • Encourage environmentally-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics: Business model should consider alternative product delivery systems, promote circularity, and encouraging use plastic waste.
  • Better coordination for finding solutions: between government, businesses, and civil society.
  • Strengthen the existing plastic waste management framework in India
  • Develop a National Action Plan for Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution in Rivers.