SYLLABUS SECTION: GS III (ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY)
WHY IN THE NEWS?
Recently, in its report titled ‘Alternative Products and Technologies to Plastics and their Applications’, NITI Aayog said that there is a need to strengthen waste minimization push through extended producer responsibility.
KEY DETAILS:
- India produces approximately 3.47 million tons of plastic waste minimization push per annum, out of which only 60% is collecting for recycling.
- Need to manage plastic waste, especially microplastics (plastic particles with size up to 5 mm) due to their increasing concentration on land, air and water bodies.
- Informal sector and vulnerable groups significantly contribute to recycling waste.
- Bioplastics need significant technology investment and scale to become a cost effective alternative.
- Emerging technologies are developed to add additives for making plastics biodegradable polyolefins, such as polypropylene and polyethylene.
Recommendations:
- Proper labelling and collection of compostable and biodegradable plastics.
- Enhanced transparency in disclosing waste generation, collection, recycling or scientific disposal to bring accountability and avoid greenwashing.
- Greenwashing is the practice of conveying a false impression or providing misleading information about a company’s products as environmentally sound.
- Encouraging R&D and incentivizing the manufacturing sector.
- Strengthening waste minimization through extended producer responsibility.
- Updation of Standards under Schedule – I (PWM Rule)
- Relaxation period for adoption of biodegradable plastics
Read more:Â UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS
SOURCE: ECONOMIC TIMES