Plastic Pollution in India

Globally, more than 300 million tons of plastic are produced annually, with less than 14% being recycled. Predictions indicate that plastic production could reach 1 billion tons by 2040. Simultaneously, 11 million tons of plastic waste find their way into our oceans each year, posing a severe threat to the environment, marine life, and human health.

The majority of ocean plastic pollution originates from land-based sources, accounting for 80% of the problem, while the remaining 20% comes from marine-based sources like abandoned fishing nets. A significant portion of land-based pollution stems from a few hundred rivers in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This is due to developed countries exporting plastic waste to emerging nations, which often lack adequate waste management systems, causing plastic waste to end up in landfills and ultimately reach the oceans.

India, with its 1.4 billion population and more than 13 million tons of mismanaged plastic waste annually, is a major contributor to this crisis. The Ganga River in the Indian Himalayas transports a substantial amount of plastic waste to the Indian Ocean, necessitating urgent action to address the issue. The Himalayas, a region of cultural significance and a popular tourist destination, face not only environmental challenges like reduced snowfall and increased rainfall but also a growing plastic waste problem, including low-value plastics that are difficult to recycle.

A comprehensive solution is urgently needed to address the escalating plastic waste crisis on a global scale.