A recent report by Swiss non-profit EA Earth Action has drawn attention to India’s significant role in the global plastic waste crisis. Despite having one of the lowest per capita plastic waste productions in the world, India is identified as one of the twelve countries responsible for 60 percent of the planet’s mismanaged plastic waste.
The Plastic Overshoot Day report reveals alarming statistics regarding global plastic waste generation, showing a 7.11 percent increase since 2021. This year, an estimated 220 million tons of plastic waste were generated globally, with a staggering 70 million tons expected to pollute the environment.
Although India is categorized as a “low-waste-producing” nation, the report projects that the country will contribute 7.4 million tons of mismanaged plastic waste in 2024, a figure that demands urgent attention. Despite this, India’s mismanaged plastic waste is still significantly lower than that of China and the United States.
Additionally, the report highlights India’s contribution to microplastic pollution, estimating an average release of 3,91,879 tons into the environment and 31,483 tons of chemical additives into waterways.
As world leaders prepare for the fourth meeting of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) in Ottawa, Canada, the urgency to address plastic pollution is emphasized. The report serves as a timely reminder of the need for concerted global efforts to tackle this pressing environmental issue.
With Plastic Overshoot Day for India set for April 23, there is a clear call for action. Sarah Perreard, Co-CEO at EA Earth Action & Plastic Footprint Network, stresses the importance of aggressive reduction efforts at the source alongside improvements in waste management.
