2024 Plastic Overshoot Day Report

Finding Related to World Wide:

• The Global plastic waste generation has risen by 7.11 per cent since 2021.
• The world is estimated to have generated 220 million tons of plastic waste this year, 70 million tons of which will end up polluting the environment.
• Twelve countries are responsible for 60 per cent of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste: China, India, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Vietnam, Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan, the United States and Turkey.
• Top generators of plastic waste : 
  • People living in Belgium, with a yearly waste production of 147.7 kg per person. 
  • In terms of Mismanaged plastic waste : Oman tops the list of countries, with a projected 111 kg of mismanaged plastic per person in 2024.

Findings Related to India:

• India will reach its Plastic Overshoot Day on April 23. 
• India is among the 12 countries responsible for 60% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste.
• Despite the report classifying India as a “low-waste-producing” polluter due to its low per capita plastic waste production (8 kg per capita per year), India is projected to have a high level of Mismanaged waste by 2024. 
  • Categorized as ‘The Waste Sponges’ referring to a low consumption yet a high level of plastic pollution.
• India expected mismanaged waste in 2024 will be 7.4 million tons, which is “very high”.
  • India’s mismanaged plastic waste will be less than one-fifth of China and one-third of the US.
  • India is estimated to release an average of 3,91,879 tons of microplastics into the environment and 31,483 tons of chemical additives into waterways.

• Plastic credits: It is a mechanism that allows companies to offset their plastic footprint by funding or supporting projects that prevent or remove plastic waste from the environment & to increase the use of more sustainable alternatives.
  • Plastic Offsetting: This concept revolves around the notion that both companies and consumers can offset their plastic consumption by acquiring plastic credits. 
  • Plastic Neutrality: This term is used to describe a situation where a company has procured sufficient plastic credits to balance out its entire plastic footprint over a specified period.