Context
Recently, The 2024 Plastic Overshoot Day Report was released by Swiss-based research consultancy ‘Earth Action (EA)’.
Plastic Overshoot Day 2024
- For 2024, Plastic Overshoot Day is projected to occur on September 5th, referring to the day when the amount of plastic waste surpasses the capability of waste management systems to effectively manage.
- Based on the country’s Mismanaged Waste Index (MWI) i.e., the ratio of the mismanaged waste and the total waste.
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- 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.
- 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.
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Key Highlights of the 2024 Plastic Overshoot Day Report
At India Level:
- The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016: This legislation introduced a series of measures aimed at curbing plastic pollution.
- It introduced the concept of EPR to manage plastics in India.
- Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021 & 2022 :
Key Terminology:
- 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.
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- The guidelines on EPR coupled with the prohibition of identified single use plastic items.
- The rules prohibit the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and usage of single-use plastics.
- Thickness Standards for Plastic Carry Bags: Starting from September 30, 2021, the thickness of plastic carry bags was increased from 50 to 75 microns. This was further augmented to 120 microns, effective from December 31, 2022.
- To ensure effective Plastic Waste Management (PWM) in the country :
- ‘Prakriti’, a mascot initiative, was taken by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to spread greater awareness among masses about small changes that can be sustainably adopted in our lifestyle for a better environment.
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At Global Level:
To end plastic pollution:
Also Read: India’s Single Use Plastic Crisis
April 13, 2024