Plastic Waste Minimization Flashcards
Why in News?
Recently, NITI Aayog has releases a report titled ‘Alternative Products and Technologies to Plastics and their Applications’ to encourage use of alternatives of plastics.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also banned Single Used Plastics (SUP), violation of the ban will invite punitive action under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act (EPA).
What are the Findings of the Report?
Global Plastic Production and Disposal: Between 1950–2015, the cumulative production of polymers, synthetic fibre and additives was 8,300 Million Tonnes (MT), of which 55% went straight to landfills or were discarded, 8% incinerated, and only 6% were recycled.
By 2050 if production is continued at the same rate, it would generate 12,000 MT.
India’s Case
India produced 3.47 million tonnes of plastics waste per Annum, with the per capita waste growing from 700 grams to 2,500 grams over the last five years.
Goa, Delhi & Kerala have reported the highest per capita plastic waste generation, while Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura have reported the lowest per capita plastic waste generation.
Concern
Globally, 97-99% of these plastics are derived from fossil fuel feedstock while the remaining 1-3% come from bio (plant) based plastics.
Only a small amount of this plastic waste gets recycled, adding that a majority of this waste leaks into the environment through various polluting pathways.
India collects only 60% of its plastic waste with the rest 40% remaining uncollected and enters the environment directly as waste.
Nearly every piece of plastic begins as a fossil fuel, and greenhouse gases (GHG) are emitted at each stage of the plastic lifecycle: a) fossil fuel extraction and transport, b) plastic refining and manufacture, c) managing plastic waste, and d) ongoing effects within oceans, waterways, and various ecosystem landscapes.
What are the Recommendations?
The most preferred option for the management of waste is waste minimisation. Strengthen the waste minimisation drive through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), proper labelling and collection of compostable and biodegradable plastics, while relaxing the deadline for adoption of biodegradable plastic.
Develop emerging technologies, e.g., additives can make plastics biodegradable polyolefins, such as polypropylene and polyethylene
Use of Bio-plastics: as a cost-effective alternative to plastics.
Encourage R&D (Research and Development) and incentivize the manufacturing sector.
Enhance transparency in disclosing waste generation, collection, recycling or scientific disposal to bring accountability and avoid greenwashing.
Greenwashing is the process of conveying misleading information about how a company’s products are more environmentally sound.
What can be the Alternatives to Plastics?
Glass:
Glass has always been the safest and the most viable option for the packaging and use of food and liquid. Glass can be recycled multiple times, so it doesn’t have to end up in landfills. It is cost-effective, considering its durability and recyclability.
Bagasse:
Compostable, eco-friendly bagasse can replace plastic needing as disposable plates, cups or takeout boxes. Bagasse is made from the pulp that is leftover when the juice is extracted from sugarcane or beets. It can be used for other purposes, such as a biofuel.
Bioplastics:
Plant-based plastics, known as bioplastics, have been hailed as a green alternative to fossil fuel-based plastic, especially when it comes to food packaging. But bioplastics have their own environmental footprint, requiring the growing of crops and therefore land and water use. Bioplastics have been shown to be just as harmful, and in some cases more harmful, than conventional plastic.
Natural Textiles:
When it comes to replacing polyester and nylon clothing which shed millions of tiny plastic fibres with every single wash, the traditional alternatives are cotton, wool, linen and hemp. But the production of cotton has been causing serious threats to the environment and also comes at a human cost.
Refill, reuse and buy unpackaged:
By far the least damaging type of packaging is one that can be used again and again, or none at all.
Reusable fabric bags for fruit & veg etc.
Reusable containers and boxes for meat, fish, cheese etc.
Refillable bottles and jars for oil & vinegar, cleaning liquids etc.
Beeswax wraps instead of foil and clingfilm.
What are the Related Initiatives?
Plastic Waste Management rules 2016
Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Pollution Control Committees
India Plastics Pact
Project REPLAN
Un-Plastic Collective
GoLitter Partnerships Project
Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
According to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, separation of plastic wastes is expected, which will ensure that plastic and other materials can be obtained again. This will decrease the harm which is being caused to the environment.
According to these rules, the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags has been increased to 50 micros from 40 microns.
The existing law, limited to municipal districts earlier has been extended to villages, because plastic has found its way to the villages as well.
By prior-registration of plastic manufacturers, suppliers and vendors; collection of plastic waste management has also begun.
It needs to be pointed that presently, only one law exists to curb the use of plastic in the country, stating that no producer or vendor can sell plastic less than 50 microns in diameter. Since this law is not applicable to sell other kinds of plastic, their production has not been lowered.
Why in News? ( amendment to the rules )
Recently, the Ministry Of Environment Forest And Climate Change has notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021.
These rules prohibit specific single-use plastic items which have “low utility and high littering potential” by 2022.
Key Points
New Rules:
The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the identified single-use plastic will be prohibited with effect from the 1st July, 2022.
The ban will not apply to commodities made of compostable plastic.
For banning other plastic commodities in the future, other than those that have been listed in this notification, the government has given industry ten years from the date of notification for compliance.
The permitted thickness of the plastic bags, currently 50 microns, will be increased to 75 microns from 30th September, 2021, and to 120 microns from the 31st December, 2022.
Plastic bags with higher thickness are more easily handled as waste and have higher recyclability.
2nd
Legal Framework for Banning Plastic: Currently, the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, prohibits manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of carry bags and plastic sheets less than 50 microns in thickness in the country.
Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 amend the 2016 rules.
Implementing Agency: The Central Pollution Control Board, along with state pollution bodies, will monitor the ban, identify violations, and impose penalties already prescribed under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986.
Compostable Plastics
Instead of using plastic made from petrochemicals and fossil fuels, compostable plastics are derived from renewable materials like corn, potato, and tapioca starches, cellulose, soy protein, and lactic acid.
These are non-toxic and decompose back into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass when composted.
Single Use Plastics and Reasons for the Ban
Petroleum-based plastic is non biodegradable and usually goes into a landfill where it is buried or it gets into the water and finds its way into the ocean.
In the process of breaking down, it releases toxic chemicals (additives that were used to shape and harden the plastic) which make their way into our food and water supply.
Pollution due to single use plastic items has become an important environmental challenge confronting all countries and India is committed to take action for mitigation of pollution caused by littered Single Use Plastics.
At the 4th United Nations Environment Assembly in 2019, India piloted a resolution on addressing single-use plastic products pollution.
The Prime Minister of India was also conferred the “champions of the earth” award by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2018 for pledging to eliminate all single-use plastic by 2022.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
CPCB is a statutory organisation which was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
It was also entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Principal Functions of the CPCB:
To promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution.
To improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.
State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
They supplement the CPCB as they are a statutory organization entrusted to implement Environmental Laws and rules within the jurisdiction of a state.
Pollution control committees (PCC):
They perform similar functions to SPCB. The difference between the two is that PCC belongs to Union territories.
