Tackling Plastic Pollution

As per the estimation of the Central Pollution Control Board, India generates more than 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, out of which nearly 40 per cent remains uncollected and littered in the environment. The primary reason for these sky- touching numbers is economic development, resulting in higher demand for goods in the FMCG sector Owing to its strength, low cost and durability, plastic has emerged as one of the most reliable packaging materials, which on the flip side, has resulted in the challenge of plastic waste management. Due to its low cost, finding a cheap and, at the same time, a green alternative has become a challenging task.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change ("MoEFCC") issued draft amendments to the Plastic Waste Management Rules earlier this year, proposing to phase out the manufacturing, use, sale, import, and handling of certain single-use plastic goods ("Draft Amendment").