New rules for plastic use in Odisha’s parks
Context:
The Odisha government has announced a ban on single-use plastic in national parks, tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and eco-tourism sites starting from April 1.
Relevance:
GS-03 (Environmental Pollution & Degradation)
Single-Use Plastic:
- Single-use plastic refers to disposable plastic items that are used once and then discarded.
- It includes various items like packaging, bottles (for shampoo, detergents, cosmetics), polythene bags, face masks, coffee cups, cling film, trash bags, and food packaging.
- Single-use plastic constitutes a significant portion of global plastic production, estimated at one-third.
- Approximately 98% of single-use plastics are made from fossil fuels.
- Despite its short lifespan, single-use plastic contributes to a majority of plastic waste globally, with 130 million metric tonnes discarded in 2019.
- Disposal methods: Burning, landfilling, and direct littering, leading to environmental pollution.
- The production and disposal of single-use plastic contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
- By 2050, it is projected that single-use plastic could contribute 5-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- India’s Status:
- India ranks among the top 100 countries in terms of single-use plastic waste generation, standing at 94th place.
- With an annual domestic production of 11.8 million metric tonnes and imports of 2.9 million metric tonnes, India generates approximately 5.6 million metric tonnes of single-use plastic waste annually.
Plastic Waste:
- Plastic waste, unlike biodegradable materials, remains in the environment for hundreds to thousands of years due to its non-biodegradable nature.
- Major sources of polluting plastic waste include microplastics, single-use plastics, and unsustainable packaging.
- Microplastics, including microbeads and microfibers, result from the breakdown of larger plastic items due to sun exposure and physical wear.
- Single-use plastics like bags, bottles, straws, and packaging contribute significantly to pollution.
- Issues:
- India faces challenges related to the volume of plastic waste generated per person, unsustainable packaging practices, and the surge in plastic waste from online deliveries.
- Plastic pollution disrupts the food chain, affecting organisms from plankton to larger animals.
Challenges in Plastic Waste Management:
- Plastic waste management involves collecting and recycling plastic materials, but both steps face challenges in execution. Ragpickers play a significant role in plastic waste collection, with limited involvement from local authorities.
- Despite government claims of high plastic recycling rates, data analysis suggests a much lower recycling rate. Burning of plastic waste remains a common practice, contributing to environmental pollution.
India’s Initiatives for Plastic Waste Management:
- India launched a nationwide campaign against single-use plastics, along with a mobile app for grievance redressal.
- Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022, prohibit several single-use plastic items and introduce Extended Producer Responsibility.
- The India Plastics Pact brings stakeholders together to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics.
- Initiatives like Project REPLAN and the mascot ‘Prakriti’ aim to raise awareness and provide sustainable alternatives to plastic usage.
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