What is the issue?
- In recent times use of plastic become the major threat to the environment.
- India lacks proper framework mechanisms to discourage plastic use.
What are the concerns with plastic usage in India?
- India is the major producer of plastic waste that ends up in the oceans.
- The Centre’s somewhat liberal estimate shows over 60% of about 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated daily is collected.
- That essentially means a staggering 10,000 tonnes of trash is being released into the environment, a lot of it is going into the sea.
- Also, not every piece of plastic collected by the system is scientifically processed.
- Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system is on the UN map of 10 rivers worldwide that collectively carry the bulk of the plastic waste into the oceans.
- The effects are evident that they threaten marine life and the well-being of people, as microplastics are now found even in drinking water.
What are the pitfalls with measures taken?
- In their response to the crisis, communities and environmentally minded individuals are ahead of governments and municipal authorities.
- They segregate waste, compost at home, conduct “plastic free” social events and help recover materials that would otherwise just be dumped in the suburbs and wetlands.
- But, valuable as they are, voluntary efforts cannot achieve what systemic reform can.
- India’s Solid Waste Management Rules and the Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016, which built on previous regulations, mostly remain on paper.
- State governments have simply not given them the necessary momentum, and the producers of plastic articles that are invariably used just for a few minutes have shown little concern about their negative environmental impact.
- Local bodies mandated under rules to ensure segregation, collection and transfer of waste to registered recyclers have spectacularly failed to fulfil their responsibilities.
What measures need to be taken?
- It is the Centre’s responsibility to ensure that the Environment (Protection) Act, the overarching law that enables anti-pollution rules to be issued, is implemented in letter and spirit.
- Ideally, regulation should help stop the manufacture of single-use plastic articles such as carry bags and cutlery, and encourage the use of biodegradable materials.
- The provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules require manufacturers of compostable bags to get a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board.
Source: The Hindu
