India generates highest plastic pollution in world: study

Source: This post is created based on the article “India generates highest plastic pollution in world: what a new study found”, published in Indian Express on 9^th Sep 2024.

What is the news?

A recent study published in Nature reveals that India is responsible for 20% of the global plastic pollution. The study has come at a time, when negotiations for the very first legally binding international treaty on plastics pollution are ongoing.

Published by: University of Leeds researchers Joshua W Cottom, Ed Cook, and Costas A Velis.

What are the differences between managed and unmanaged?

Managed waste refers to the plastic collected by municipalities and recycled or sent to landfills.

Unmanaged waste refers to plastic left in the environment as debris or burnt in uncontrolled fires. The open burning of plastic releases harmful gases like carbon monoxide, linked to heart diseases, respiratory disorders, and neurological issues.

What are the key findings of the study?

Worldwide pollution: Around 251 mt of plastic waste is produced every year, globally. Roughly 52.1 mt, which is a fifth of this waste, is “emitted” into the environment, unmanaged.

India’s Plastic contribution: India annually contributes 9.3 million tonnes (mt) to global plastic pollution. This includes 5.8 mt of plastics being burned and 3.5 mt released into the environment.

Comparison: India’s plastic pollution significantly exceeds that of Nigeria (3.5 mt), Indonesia (3.4 mt), and China (2.8 mt).

North-South Divide: There is a distinct divide between Global North (high-income countries) and Global South (low-income countries) in plastic waste generation and management. Southern Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South-eastern Asia contribute to about 69% of the global plastic pollution.

Waste Management in High-Income Countries (HICs): Most HICs have nearly 100% waste collection and management systems, resulting in controlled plastic disposal.