Ending Plastic Pollution | Gist of Rajya Sabha TV / RSTV (now Sansad TV) - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Tackling Plastic Pollution addresses the escalating global and national crisis of plastic pollution, spotlighted during World Environment Day 2025. Featuring Dr. Vibhad Dhavan, Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute, and Mr. CK Mishra, former Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the discussion examines India’s policy efforts, behavioral challenges, industry roles, and innovative solutions to mitigate plastic’s environmental impact. Emphasizing a circular economy approach, the experts advocate for collective action to achieve sustainable progress by 2030.

Key Developments

• Global Focus: World Environment Day 2025 highlights plastic pollution’s threat to ecosystems, health, and climate.
• India’s Policy: The 2019 single-use plastic ban faces enforcement challenges, with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks gaining traction.
• Innovative Solutions: Bioplastics and enhanced recycling systems show promise but require scaling through investment and policy support.

Expert Insights

Dr. Dhavan and Mr. Mishra provide comprehensive perspectives on the plastic pollution crisis and India’s response:

Nature of the Crisis

• Plastic’s Ubiquity: Its affordability and convenience make plastic indispensable, complicating efforts to reduce its use.
• Environmental Impact: Improper disposal contaminates soil, water, and air, necessitating a shift toward circularity.

Policy and Enforcement

• Single-Use Plastic Bans: India’s 2019 ban struggles with uneven enforcement, particularly in rural areas.
• EPR Frameworks: Policies hold producers accountable for plastic lifecycle management, promoting recycling and accountability.

Solutions and Innovations

• Bioplastics: Biodegradable alternatives like deoiled oil cakes offer environmental benefits but need R&D and subsidies to scale.
• Circular Economy: Efficient collection, recycling infrastructure, and market demand for recycled materials are critical.
• Local Governance: Municipal waste management and community engagement drive effective recycling and segregation.

Behavioral and Economic Factors

• Consumer Behavior: Awareness exists, but practical, affordable alternatives are needed to shift habits.
• Economic Incentives: Higher plastic prices or deposit systems could encourage recycling and reduce waste.

Highlights

• Global Urgency: World Environment Day 2025 targets plastic pollution’s widespread impact.
• Circular Approach: Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink plastic use.
• India’s Ban: 2019 single-use plastic ban faces enforcement gaps.
• Plastic’s Appeal: Convenience and low cost hinder reduction efforts.
• Bioplastics Potential: Scalable alternatives require investment and policy support.
• Local Action: Municipal waste management and community participation are key.
• EPR Role: Industry accountability drives sustainable plastic management.

Strategic Implications

The discussion outlines critical insights for addressing plastic pollution in India and globally:

• Plastic’s Dual Nature: Plastic’s utility demands a circular economy approach, focusing on collection, recycling, and reuse rather than outright bans.
• Rising Consumption: India’s growing plastic waste requires policies to curb production and incentivize sustainable consumption at household levels.
• Enforcement Challenges: Uneven implementation of single-use plastic bans highlights the need for stronger enforcement, awareness, and infrastructure.
• Economic Levers: Pricing mechanisms like deposits or higher costs for plastic can shift consumer behavior toward recycling and reuse.
• Bioplastics as Future: Biodegradable alternatives show promise but need government support and R&D to achieve market viability and scale.
• Community-Driven Solutions: Effective waste management relies on empowered local bodies and engaged communities for segregation and recycling.
• Shared Accountability: Governments, industries, and consumers must collaborate, with EPR ensuring producers manage plastic lifecycles responsibly.
• Behavioral Transformation: Practical alternatives and disposal systems are essential to convert awareness into meaningful lifestyle changes.
• Circular Economy Framework: Robust recycling infrastructure and market demand for recycled materials reduce environmental leakage and create economic opportunities.
• Global-Local Synergy: Tailored solutions, informed by global models, address India’s diverse urban and rural contexts to meet 2030 goals.

Conclusion

Plastic pollution poses a complex challenge requiring systemic change across production, consumption, and disposal. India’s efforts, from single-use plastic bans to EPR frameworks and bioplastic innovation, reflect a commitment to sustainability. However, success hinges on stronger enforcement, scalable alternatives, community engagement, and a robust circular economy. By fostering shared responsibility among government, industry, and consumers, India can lead the way in reducing plastic pollution by 2030, safeguarding ecosystems and public health.