Plastic Production In India: An Annual Overview

India is one of the world's largest producers of plastic waste, generating an estimated 9.3 to 10.2 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. This equates to 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste produced by India every day, with only eight per cent of this plastic being recycled. India's plastic waste production far outpaces that of other countries, with Nigeria and Indonesia being the next biggest polluters, producing approximately half the amount of plastic waste as India. India's plastic waste is a significant environmental concern, contributing to global plastic pollution, which has been found to infiltrate various ecosystems, including human bodies.

India's annual plastic production

India is one of the world's largest producers of polymers and generates an enormous amount of plastic waste. According to a recent study, India leads the world in generating plastic waste, producing 10.2 million tonnes a year. This is far more than double the amount produced by the next biggest polluting nations, Nigeria and Indonesia, which produce 3.5 million and 3.4 million tonnes respectively.

India's plastic waste generation is a significant issue, with only around 8-9% of plastic recycled in the country. The remaining plastic waste ends up in landfills or leaks into the environment, contributing to pollution and affecting human health. India's large population of over 1.4 billion people generates 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, which is the equivalent of approximately 26,000 small cars.

The Indian government has recognised the need to address this issue and has developed a National Circular Economy Roadmap for Reducing Plastic Waste in India. This roadmap aims to increase recycling rates, decrease greenhouse emissions, and improve air quality by adopting environmentally friendly consumption habits and improving waste management facilities. India's plastic waste generation is not just an environmental issue but also a public health crisis, as open burning of plastic waste can lead to substantial human health damage.

Plastic waste in India

India is facing a growing environmental crisis in the form of plastic pollution. With 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually, India contributes more to this environmental catastrophe than any single country, except the USA and the European Union. India's plastic waste problem is largely due to its inadequate waste management systems, rampant open burning of plastic waste, rapid urbanisation, population growth, economic development, and the rise of retail chains.

A study by the University of Leeds found that over 52 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the environment globally each year, with India, Nigeria, and Indonesia being the top three contributors. India's plastic waste generation has quadrupled in the past five years, with 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste produced every day. This waste is not effectively managed, with only 8-12% of it being recycled. The remaining plastic waste is disposed of through open burning, landfilling, or leaks into the environment.

Open burning of plastic waste is a significant issue in India, with 5.8 million tonnes of plastic burned openly each year. This practice contributes to air pollution and releases harmful pollutants, affecting local communities' health and exacerbating climate change. Dioxins, for example, are released into the air, increasing the risk of respiratory diseases and cancer. Additionally, an estimated 30-40% of plastic waste in India is dumped in uncontrolled landfills, polluting soil and water bodies.

The Indian government has implemented a ban on certain single-use plastics, but enforcement has been challenging due to their continued availability and affordability. The informal waste sector, including waste pickers and small-scale recyclers, handles a large portion of India's plastic waste (42-86%), but their practices can exacerbate pollution due to a lack of knowledge and technology. The government's reported 95% waste collection rate has been disputed, with studies indicating a lower rate of around 81%. This data discrepancy complicates policy-making and crisis management.

To address the plastic waste crisis, India has developed a National Circular Economy Roadmap in collaboration with Australian partners. This roadmap aims to increase recycling rates, improve waste management, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adopting environmentally friendly consumption habits and implementing circular economy principles. India's plastic waste crisis is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention and effective solutions to mitigate its environmental and health impacts.

India's plastic pollution

The impact of India's plastic pollution extends beyond its borders, as the waste infiltrates various ecosystems and spreads from the deepest oceans to the highest mountaintops, even finding its way into human bodies. India's plastic waste production is part of a larger global issue, with over two-thirds of plastic pollution originating from the Global South, where government waste management systems are often inadequate. The inadequate waste management in these regions contributes significantly to the plastic pollution crisis.

In India itself, the plastic waste issue is exacerbated by the country's limited recycling capabilities. Despite being one of the largest producers of polymers, India recycles only about 8% of its plastic waste, with the rest ending up in landfills or leaking into the environment. This low recycling rate is a concern, as recycling is a crucial step towards reducing plastic waste and its negative impact on the environment.

To address the plastic pollution crisis, India has developed a National Circular Economy Roadmap for Reducing Plastic Waste. This roadmap aims to increase recycling rates by up to two-thirds and decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 20-50%. The strategies outlined in the roadmap include designing products and processes that minimise waste and make recycling easier, as well as allocating resources towards improving waste management facilities. India's efforts to tackle plastic pollution are aligned with global initiatives, such as the legally binding treaty on plastics pollution, including ocean pollution, agreed upon by most nations in 2022.

While India's plastic pollution problem is significant, the country is taking steps towards reducing its environmental impact. By implementing the strategies outlined in the National Circular Economy Roadmap and working collaboratively with the international community, India can make substantial progress in mitigating its plastic pollution crisis and contributing to global efforts to create a cleaner and more sustainable future.

India's plastic recycling rates

India's plastic recycling rate stood at 8% in 2019, with the country generating nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, more than any economy except the United States and the European Union. This equates to approximately 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste a year.

India's plastic waste problem is significant, with a large fraction of plastic waste going to landfill or leaking into the environment. In response, the Indian government has taken steps towards improving its plastic recycling capacity and infrastructure. In early 2022, India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change unveiled guidelines for plastic packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) that stipulate mandatory targets for recycling plastic packaging waste, reusing rigid plastic containers, and using recycled content. The plan sets recycling rate targets of 30-50% for various plastic packaging by 2025 and 80% for rigid plastic packaging by 2028.

To further enhance its recycling capacity, India is investing in new infrastructure. For example, a joint venture between global resin maker LyondellBasell and Shakti Plastic Industries, India's largest plastic scrap recycler, will see the construction of a fully automated mechanical recycling plant. The plant is expected to process 50,000 tonnes of single-use plastic waste into recycled polyethylene and PP annually.

In addition to government and industry initiatives, India is also driving innovation and adopting a circular economy approach to reduce plastic waste. India, in collaboration with Australia, has developed a Circular Economy Roadmap, which includes seven strategies to minimise waste, enhance effective waste management, and increase recycling rates. The roadmap sets ambitious targets, aiming to recycle 67% of plastic waste by 2035 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20-50%.

The roadmap outlines key milestones to achieve these targets, including specific recycling capacity goals and the phasing out of single-use plastics by 2025. By 2030, India aims to further increase its recycling capacity to 18.8 million tonnes and digitalise the flow chain of polymers. These initiatives demonstrate India's commitment to improving its plastic recycling rates and addressing the environmental impact of plastic waste.

India's plastic consumption

The impact of India's plastic consumption is evident in the environment, with plastic pollution infiltrating ecosystems and human bodies. The improper management of plastic waste exacerbates the problem, as India burns 5.8 million tonnes and releases 3.5 million tonnes into the environment annually. This mismanagement contributes to the country's position as a major plastic polluter, alongside nations like Nigeria, Indonesia, and China.

The recycling rate in India is low, with only 8% of plastic waste being recycled. To address this issue, India has developed a National Circular Economy Roadmap, aiming to increase recycling rates and decrease greenhouse emissions. The roadmap focuses on adopting environmentally friendly consumption habits, minimising waste, and improving waste management facilities.

Addressing India's plastic consumption and waste management is crucial to mitigating the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution. By improving recycling systems, encouraging reusable alternatives, and reducing overall plastic demand, India can make significant strides towards a cleaner and healthier future.

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