A report from Niti Aayog has recommended exploring plastic alternatives or technologies that facilitate the degradation of plastic.
CURRENT SITUATIONS
- India generates approximately 3.47 million tons of plastic waste annually, with 60% of this amount being collected for recycling purposes.
- Among Indian states, Goa, Delhi, and Kerala have reported the highest per capita plastic waste generation, while Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura have reported the lowest per capita plastic waste generation.
- On a global scale, 97-99% of plastics are produced using fossil fuel feedstock, with the remaining 1-3% derived from bio-based plastics sourced from plants.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Explore Emerging Technologies: Invest in the development of emerging technologies, such as additives that can render plastics like polypropylene and polyethylene biodegradable. This can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste.
- Promote Bio-plastics Usage: Encourage the adoption of bio-plastics as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics. Bio-plastics are derived from renewable resources and offer a sustainable solution.
- Acknowledge the Role of the Informal Sector: Recognize and appreciate the contributions of the informal sector and vulnerable groups engaged in recycling waste. Their efforts play a significant role in waste management and should be supported.
- Implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Utilize Extended Producer Responsibility as a tool to minimize waste generation. Hold producers accountable for the entire life cycle of their products, including collection and proper disposal.
- Manage Compostable and Biodegradable Plastics: Establish systems for the leveling and collection of compostable and biodegradable plastics. This ensures proper handling of environmentally friendly alternatives and reduces their impact on waste management.
- Prioritize Transparency: Promote transparency in waste management by disclosing data on waste generation, collection, and disposal. Transparent reporting allows for better monitoring and evaluation of waste management practices.
- Avoid Greenwashing: Discourage the practice of greenwashing, which involves conveying misleading information about a company’s products being more environmentally friendly than they actually are. Encourage honest and accurate communication regarding environmental efforts.
BEST PRACTICES
Environmental Initiatives in Indian States:
- Arunachal Pradesh: Implemented plastic banks in a district and incorporated plastic in road construction across various districts.
- Delhi: Levied an environmental compensation of INR 88,00,000/- for violating Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules.
- Tamil Nadu: Achieved a collection efficiency of 92% for plastic waste.
- Sikkim: Initiated the utilization of plastic waste in road construction projects.
- Uttarakhand: Proposed the utilization of plastic waste as fuel, Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), and waste in energy plants.
- Biodegradable Cutlery: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Lab DFRL has developed technology for producing biodegradable cutlery.
Global Innovations in Sustainable Alternatives:
- Edible Seaweed Cups (Indonesia):
- Utilizing seaweed’s rapid growth (up to 60 times faster than land-based plants) as a significant carbon sink.
- Algae-blended Ethylene-vinyl Acetate (USA):
- A US-based firm has innovated algae-blended ethylene-vinyl acetate, converting air and water pollution (ammonia, phosphates, and carbon dioxide) into plant biomass rich in proteins.
- Zero Plastic Recycled Paper Bottle (UK):
- A UK firm has pioneered the world’s only commercially available zero plastic recycled paper bottle.
- Wood-based Paper Packaging (Scotland):
- In 2020, a Scotland-based paper manufacturing company introduced a sustainable wood-based alternative to plastic packaging.
- Biotransformation Process (UK):
- A UK-based company has developed an additive that, when incorporated into the masterbatch of polyolefins (PE and PP), initiates the degradation process.
TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY PLASTICS
Bio-plastics:
- Materials derived from renewable biomass resources like corn starch, sugarcane, or cassava.
- May be either biodegradable or not, depending on the specific composition.
- Often made from bio-sourced elements and are environmentally friendly.
Biodegradable Plastics:
- Plastics that undergo complete degradation by biological processes under ambient environmental conditions.
- The process occurs in specified time periods, without leaving microplastics or harmful residues.
- Adheres to standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and certified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Compostable Plastics:
- Plastics designed to undergo degradation during composting, resulting in CO2, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass.
- Does not leave toxic residue and can be derived from plant-based or petroleum-based sources.
- Example: BASF’s Ecoflex, a compostable polymer partly derived from petroleum but compostable in industrial compost facilities.
Oxo-degradable Plastics:
- Conventional plastics like PE with additives to facilitate breakdown into smaller fragments.
- May lead to microplastic leakage in the environment during the degradation process.
- Contains additives that enhance fragmentation without full biodegradability.
FAQs on NITI Aayog’s Report on Alternatives to Plastics
Q1: What is the current situation of plastic waste in India?
A: India generates approximately 3.47 million tons of plastic waste annually, with 60% collected for recycling.
Q2: Which Indian states report the highest and lowest per capita plastic waste generation?
A: Goa, Delhi, and Kerala report the highest, while Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura report the lowest per capita plastic waste generation.
Q3: What is the global composition of plastics derived from fossil fuel feedstock?
A: Globally, 97-99% of plastics are derived from fossil fuel feedstock, with 1-3% from bio-based plastics.
Q4: What are the key recommendations from NITI Aayog’s report?
A: Explore emerging technologies, promote bio-plastics, acknowledge the informal sector, implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), manage compostable and biodegradable plastics, prioritize transparency, and avoid greenwashing.
Q5: What are some environmental initiatives by Indian states to manage plastic waste?
A: Initiatives include plastic banks in Arunachal Pradesh, environmental compensation in Delhi, high collection efficiency in Tamil Nadu, plastic use in road construction in Sikkim, and proposed waste utilization in Uttarakhand.
Q6: Can you provide examples of global innovations in sustainable alternatives to plastics?
A: Innovations include edible seaweed cups (Indonesia), algae-blended ethylene-vinyl acetate (USA), zero plastic recycled paper bottle (UK), wood-based paper packaging (Scotland), and a biotransformation process (UK).
Q7: What are the types of environmentally friendly plastics mentioned?
A: Bio-plastics, biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics, and oxo-degradable plastics are types of environmentally friendly plastics discussed in the report.
Q8: What is the purpose of the additive developed in the biotransformation process?
A: The additive, when added to the masterbatch of polyolefins (PE and PP), initiates the degradation process in the biotransformation process.
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
