India's Plastic Waste Challenge: 94 Lakh Tonnes Generated Annually, 60 Percent Recycled

India generates 94 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually, with 60 percent recycled and 40 percent reaching landfills. Daily plastic waste production stands at 26,000 tonnes, highlighting the urgent need for effective waste management strategies.


Coimbatore: India's plastic waste generation has reached alarming levels, with the country producing over 94 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually. Recent data reveals that while approximately 60 percent (56 lakh tonnes) of this waste is being recycled, a staggering 38 lakh tonnes still end up in landfills, posing significant environmental challenges.

The daily plastic waste generation in India stands at a concerning 26,000 tonnes. Of this, about 15,600 tonnes are collected and recycled daily, while the remaining 10,400 tonnes find their way to landfill sites. This accumulation of non-recycled plastic waste is a growing concern for urban areas and ecosystems across the country.

India's per capita plastic consumption is reported to be 11 kg, with a notable 43 percent of plastic waste in 2021 consisting of single-use plastic (SUP). This statistic underscores the urgent need for more sustainable alternatives and improved waste management practices.

In response to the escalating plastic waste crisis, the Indian government has implemented the 'Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 and 2021'. These regulations mark a significant step towards controlling plastic waste and demonstrate India's commitment to monitoring and reducing the plastic burden on cities under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban initiative.

The implementation of these rules aims to address the growing concern of plastic pollution, particularly in urban areas. By focusing on better waste management practices and promoting recycling, the government hopes to mitigate the environmental impact of plastic waste and move towards a more sustainable future.

As India continues to grapple with its plastic waste challenge, the focus remains on increasing recycling efforts, reducing single-use plastic consumption, and developing more effective waste management strategies. The success of these initiatives will be crucial in determining the country's ability to manage its plastic waste effectively in the coming years.

Newsletter

AJK College Hosts Workshop on Building Resilient Systems

The Department of Computer Science with Data Analytics at AJK College of Arts and Science conducted a workshop on "Build...

Construction worker sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting 9-year-old girl

A 50-year-old construction worker from Kangeyam, Tirupur district, was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment fo...

Bomb Threat Email Sent to Coimbatore International Airport, Confirmed as Hoax

An unknown person sent a bomb threat email to Coimbatore International Airport on Tuesday night. CISF's Bomb Detection a...

EASA College Student Wins First Place in Tamil Oratory Competition

G. Santhapandi, a second-year ECE student from EASA College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, secured first pla...

Farmers Protest Against Substation and High-Tension Tower Projects Near Tirupur

Over 100 farmers and villagers staged a demonstration in front of the District Collector's office in Tirupur, demanding...

Millions of Liters of Water Wasted as Tirupur's Fourth Joint Drinking Water Scheme Pipeline Bursts

A burst pipeline in Tirupur's Fourth Joint Drinking Water Scheme has been wasting millions of liters of water for three...