Plastic lifecycle management: An insight into a plast-less ... · Plastic lifecycle management: An insight into a plast-less economy 05 1) Global plastic production 2 8 35 70 120

Plastic lifecycle management: An insight into a plast-less economy October 2019

Contents

Section Page

Foreword 03

CurrentstatusofplasticinIndiaandtheworld 04

1.Globalplasticproduction 05

2.Globalpercapitaplasticconsumption 05

3.Globalplasticwastegeneration 06

4.Typesofplasticandtheirrecyclability 07

5.Negativeimpactofplasticusage 08

Addressingtheriskofplasticintheeconomy 09

1.InitiativesoftheGovernmentofIndia 10

2.Globalinitiatives 11

3.Initiativesbybusinesses 13

4.Partnershipinitiatives 15

Approachandmethodologyforplasticlifecyclemanagement 16

1.Refuseandreduce 17

2.Reuseandreplace 24

3.Upcyclinganddowncycling 26

4.Recovery 29

5.Landfill 30

6.PlasticlifecyclemanagementandtheUNSustainableDevelopment Goals(SDGs) 34

Wayforward 36

1.Plasticaccounting 37

2.Plasticresponsibility 38

3.Plasticcircularity 39

Plasticlifecyclemanagement:Aninsightintoaplast-lesseconomy 03

Foreword

“Thechoicesthatwemaketodaywilldefineourcollectivefuture”,statedourHonourablePrimeMinisterMr.NarendraModiattheUNWorldEnvironmentDay2018onthethemeof‘BeatPlasticPollution’.India,beingthehostnation,wentbigwithanannouncementtooverthrowsingle-useplasticsfromthecountryby2022,therebybecomingpartofaglobalmovementagainstplasticuse.

Plasticusehaslongbeenunderscrutinyduetoitsnon-decomposingcharacteristicandconsequentpollution.Despitebeingthematerialofchoicefordifferentsectors,itsmountingnegativeimpacthaswarrantedforrobustactionstomanagetheplasticlifecycle.Inadditiontoprobingaboutitsbusinessnecessity,deliberationsacrosstheglobearenowfocusingonwaystohandleplasticbeyonditsend-of-usephase.Additionally,findingeconomicallyviableandeco-friendlyalternativeshasbecomecrucialforbothconsumersandbusinessesalike.

ThispaperbyGrantThorntonIndiaLLPfocusesonthesignificanceofalogicalandprogressiveapproachtowards

plasticlifecyclemanagementandtheimportanceofmulti-stakeholderinterventionsingeneratingapositiveimpactonsocietyandeconomy.Usingquintessentialcasestudies,thispaperexplorestheapproachandmethodsadoptedbygovernmentsandbusinessesacrosstheglobe.Furthermore,itprovidesabroaderunderstandingofplasticlifecyclemanagementanditslinkagewiththeUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals(UNSDGs).

Throughthispaper,ourCentreofExcellenceforSustainableDevelopment(CoE-SD)intendstoprovideinsightsonshiftingfromtheconventionalreduce-reuse-recycleprincipletowardsacomprehensiveplasticlifecyclemanagementapproach,thushelpinggovernment,businessesandglobalorganisationstoworktowardssustainabledevelopment.

Vikesh Mehta Partner Grant Thornton India LLP

OurCentreofExcellenceforSustainableDevelopment(CoE-SD)intendstoprovideinsightsonacomprehensiveapproachtowardsplasticlifecyclemanagement.

Source:

https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/press-release/india-sets-pace-global-race-beat-plastic-pollution

04 Plasticlifecyclemanagement:Aninsightintoaplast-lesseconomy

Current status of plastic in India and the world


1) Global plastic production

2 835

70120

213

313

381

0

100

200

300

400

500

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2015

Year

mill

ion

tonn

es

In1950,forapopulationof2.5billionpeople,around2milliontonnesofplasticwasproduced.Ontheotherhand,in2016,forapopulationof7billionpeople,over320milliontonnesofplasticwasproduced,andthisisfurthersettodoubleby2034.

2) Global per capita plastic consumption

kgs

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

11

3238

65

109

28

India Brazil China Europe US

Per capita consumption 2012-13Global average

Sources:https://ourworldindata.org/http://ficci.in/spdocument/20396/Knowledge-Paper-ps.pdf

Theglobalpercapitaconsumptionofplastichasalsoseenanupwardtrendwithmostofthedevelopednationsleadingthelist.India’spercapitaconsumption(amongthelowestintheworld)ismuchbelowtheglobalaverageof28kgperyear,butitcontinuestoriseyear-on-year.


3) Global plastic waste generation

0

20

40

60

80

59.08

37.83

14.485.46 4.49

China United States Germany Eygpt India

mill

ion

tonn

es

47%

14%

13%

12%

6%

4%4%

Packaging

Others

Textiles

Consumer & Institutional products

Transportation

Building & Construction

Electrical/ Electronic

Industrial Machinery

Source:https://ourworldindata.org/https://www.wwfindia.org/?18581/UNEP-CII-and-WWF-India-launch-Un-plastic-Collective

I. Country-wise (2010)

II. Industry-wise (2015)

Asperthelatestestimates,India’splasticwastegenerationhasmorethandoubledto9.46milliontonnes,ofwhich43%isusedforpackagingandmostofitissingle-use.


Symbol Polymer Common uses Properties Recyclable?

Polyethyleneterephthalate Plasticbottles(water,softdrinks,cookingoil)

Clear,strongandlightweight Yes,widelyrecycled

High-densitypolyethylene Milkcontainers,cleaningagents,shampoobottles,bleachbottles

Stiffandhard-wearing;hardtobreakdowninsunlight

Yes,widelyrecycled

Polyvinylchloride Plasticpiping,vinylflooring,cablinginsulation,roofsheeting

Canberigidorsoftviaplasticisers;usedinconstruction, healthcare, electronics

Oftennotrecyclableduetochemicalproperties;checklocalrecycling

Low-densitypolyethylene Plasticbags,foodwrapping(eg,bread,fruits,vegetables)

Lightweight,low-cost,versatile;failsundermechanicalandthermalstress

No,rarelyrecycledbutchecklocalrecycling

Polypropylene Bottlelids,foodtubs,furniture,houseware,medicaluse,ropes,automobileparts

Toughandresistant;effectivebarrieragainstwaterandchemicals

Oftennotrecyclable;availableinsomelocations;checklocalrecycling

Polystyrene Foodtakeawaycontainers,plasticcutlery,eggtray

Lightweight;structurallyweak;easilydispersed

No,rarelyrecycled

Otherplastics(eg,acrylic,polycarbonate,polyacticfibres)

Watercoolerbottles,babycups,fibreglass

Diverseinnaturewithvariousproperties

No,diversityofmaterialsriskscontaminationofrecycling

Therearedifferenttypesofplasticsbasedonthepolymerusedtomakethem;thesearefurtherusedtoproducevariouskindsofproducts.Numericalcoding(from1to7)istypicallyprovidedonplasticitemstoidentifythemforrecycling.Plasticrecyclingreferstotheprocessofrecoveringwasteorscrapplasticandreprocessingthematerialsintofunctionalandusefulproducts.

4) Types of plastic and their recyclability

PETE

1

LDPE

4

2HDPE

PP

5

PS

6

PVC

3

Others

7

Source:OurWorldinData


5) Negative impact of plastic usage

Sources:https://www.wwfindia.org/?18581/UNEP-CII-and-WWF-India-launch-Un-plastic-Collectivehttps://www.triplepundit.com/story/2018/our-plastic-problem-plastics-marine-life-and-beyond/11841https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-plastic-pollution.phphttps://ecologycenter.org/factsheets/adverse-health-effects-of-plastics/https://ecologycenter.org/factsheets/adverse-health-effects-of-plastics/

Marine plastic pollution has affected over 700 species worldwide as a result of ingestion, starvation, suffocation, drowning and entanglement. Sea birds unintentionally feed their chicks plastic, mistaking it for food, and about one million of them are killed by plastic pollution each year. 50% to 80% of all sea turtles found dead have ingested some form of plastic. There are several accounts of various whale species dying after consuming plastic. According to the World Economic Forum, it is estimated that “there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050.”

Oceans

Land

Air

Life

Through microplastics, plastic has found a place in the food chain by contaminating water; researchers have found that more than a quarter of all fish now contains plastic. The toxins in microplastics can disrupt hormones crucial for healthy existence and also cause problems like asthma, cancer, congenital disabilities, genetic changes, chronic bronchitis, ulcers, skin diseases and liver dysfunction.

Majority of plastic waste, about 6,100 tonnes in India, is dumped into landfills. Plastic toxins from the litter seep into the groundwater, and the chemical released affects soil fertility. The toxic emissions and foul gases from landfills pollute the environment and lead to adverse effects on human health. Furthermore, open burning of plastic disperses the toxic chemicals, which get deposited on soil, surface water and plants.

Open burning of plastic generates microplastics that contaminate the air. The wind becomes a carrier, and when inhaled by humans and animals, it causes respiratory problems. In addition to this, as per estimates, plastic production and incineration will contribute greenhouse gases equivalent to 850 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere in 2019.


Addressing the risk of plastic in the economy


1. Initiatives of the Government of India

TheIndiangovernmenthassetagoaltowipeoutsingle-useplasticfromIndiaby2022andthushasexhortedmunicipalities,NGOsandbusinessestocomeupwithwaysforreducingandsafelydisposingofplastic.Hon’blePrimeMinisterurgedstart-upsandexpertstofindwaysanddeveloptechnologiestorecycleplastic.Furthermore,hereiteratedhisstandagainstsingle-useplasticwhiledeliveringhis2019IndependenceDayspeechandalsointherecentUnitedNationsGeneralAssembly(UNGA)inNewYork,urgingpeopletocomeforwardandbepartofthemovement.

PlasticWasteManagementRules2016wereadoptedandlaterrevisedin2018totakeintoaccounteaseofdoingbusinessforproducers,recyclersandmanufacturers.Theserulesaddresstheplasticuseissuecomprehensivelythroughprogressivemethods,atthesametimeensuringthatallstakeholdersareinvolved.

Indiaisalsofirmingupaplantomakeits7,500kmofcoastlineplasticpollution-free.Asthefirststep,sensor-equippedfloatingbuoyswillbedeployedintheoceantomeasuremarineplasticfootprint.ThegovernmentwillestablishanationalandregionalmarinelitteractioncampaignaswellasaprogrammetomeasurethetotalmarineplasticfootprintinIndia’scoastalwaters.

Thereareseveralinitiativestakenbystategovernmentsandministriesinlinewiththecentralgovernment’svisiontomanageplasticuse.Someofthemareasfollows:

I. Department of Promotion and Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT): DPIITundertheMinistryofCommerceandIndustrylaunchedthe‘SwachhtahiSewa2019’campaignon11September2019aspartoftheHon’blePrimeMinister’scalltoactionagainstplasticwastefromindustrialestates,parksandotherareasbyallstatesandunionterritories.DPIITwillstartbyensuringrecyclingofplasticwastecollectedon2October2019incementkilnsandcollectingplasticwastethroughanationwide‘Shramdaan’on2October2019inandaroundindustrialareasallacrossthecountry.

II. Maharashtra government: InMarch2018,theMaharashtragovernmentissuedanotificationimposingastatewidebanonplasticproducts.Thebanisonthemanufacture,use,transport,distribution,wholesaleandretailsale,andstorageandimportofplasticbags(bothwithandwithoutahandle)andsingle-usedisposabledishes,cups,platesandglasses,plasticpackagingtowraporstoreproducts,andthermocolcontainersanddecoratives.

Sources:https://www.investindia.gov.in/team-india-blogs/indian-marine-sector-catering-global-platter,https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/mann-ki-baat-pm-calls-for-mass-movement-against-plastic-waste-from-oct-2/article29252589.ecehttps://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/page1/indias-7500-km--coastline-aims-to-be-plastic-free.htmlhttps://dipp.gov.in/sites/default/files/pressRelease_09September2019.pdfhttps://www.firstpost.com/india/maharashtras-plastic-ban-a-bold-initiative-that-needs-phase-wise-implementation-subsidised-alternatives-for-success-4626211.html


2. Global initiatives

United Nations (UN)TheUNhasbeeninstrumentalinbringingtheattentionofvariouscountriestowardsthemismanagementofplasticanditsimpactontheworld.Thethemeforthe2018editionoftheWorldEnvironmentDaywas‘BeatPlasticPollution’,andonthatoccasion,170countriestookthepledgetoreduceplasticconsumptionby2030.TheUNEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)alsoreleasedthefirst-ever‘stateofplastics’report,whichoffersthefirstcomprehensiveglobalassessmentofgovernmentactionagainstplasticpollution.

TheUNhasbeenengagedincampaignsaswellforbringinginawarenessaboutplasticuse:

Clean Seas Campaign:UNEPlaunchedtheCleanSeasCampaignin2017toengagestakeholdersfromallsectorstofightthepollutionofplasticsintheocean.Thegoalistoaddresstherootcausesofplasticpollution,primarilytheproductionandconsumptionofsingle-useplastics.Tilldate,morethan40countrieshavesignedontothecampaign.

Beat Plastic Pollution Campaign:TheBeatPlasticPollutionCampaignwasthefocusofthe2018WorldEnvironmentDayorganisedbytheUN.ItoverlapswiththeCleanSeasCampaign,andlikewisetargetssingle-useplasticsandpushesconsumerstofollowthemotto:“Ifyoucan’treuseit,refuseit.”

Inanotherreport,UNEPexaminedthepotentialofreplacingconventionalplasticswitharangeofnaturalmaterialssuchaspaper,cotton,wood,algaeandfungi.Italsofeaturedcompanies,frommultinationalstostart-ups,thatareinnovatingandusingalternativetechnologiessuchasnewgenerationbio-polymersmadefrombiomasssources.TheUNreportconcludedthatcorporationsmustincludesustainabilityintheirbusinessmodels,sometimestakingtheirleadfromlocalcommunitiestofindavailableplantandanimalalternativestoplastics.

European Union (EU)EUdirectivesencouragememberstatestosetreductiontargetsoradopteconomicinstrumentstoachieveasustainedreductionoflightweightcarrierbags.EUmemberstatesare,forinstanceinvited,amongotheroptions,toreducetheamountoflightweightplasticbagconsumptiontoamaximumof90perpersonayearbytheendof2019,andtoamaximumof40bytheendof2025.

Policy:InJanuary2018,theEuropeanCommissionadoptedthefirst-everEuropeanStrategyforPlasticsinaCircularEconomy.TheplanseekstoeliminateplasticpollutionandchangethewayplasticsareproducedandconsumedintheEUwithafocusonplasticbags,othersingle-useplasticsandfishingmaterialsandrestrictingtheintentionaluseofmicroplastics.Theplanalsoseekstoimprovetheeconomicbenefitofrecycling,tocreatejobsthroughengagingbusinessesandproducers,andtoinvestininnovation.

Impact: TheEuropeanCommissionhasbeguntointroduceregulationsandmeasurestotheEuropeanParliament,includingaproposalontheregulationofsingle-useplastics,packagingwasteandportwastemanagement.TheCommissionhaslaidoutanambitiousgoalwhichsaysthatby2030,allplasticpackagingproducedandsoldinEuropeshouldbereusableorrecyclable.Thestrategyincludedhasthepotentialtocreate200,000jobsifrecyclingcapacityismultipliedfourfold.

Also,aspartofitsstrategy,EUwilldevelopnewrulesonpackagingtoimprovetherecyclabilityofplasticsandincreasedemand.Itwantstoseeimprovedandscaleduprecyclingfacilitiesandamorestandardisedsystemfortheseparatecollectionandsortingofwaste.

Sources:https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/world-environment-day-beat-plastic-pollutionhttps://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/plastic-recycling-underperforming-sector-ripe-remakehttps://www.earthday.org/plasticban/


Other countriesChina

Policy:TheChinesegovernmentrespondedtowidespreadplasticpollutionbybanningthedistributionofsingle-useplasticbagsingrocerystoresandshopsaroundthecountry.Companiesnowfaceastrictfineof10,000yuan,orroughlyUSD1,593forillegalplasticbagdistribution.

Impact:TheNRDCestimatesthatChinahasseena66%reductioninplasticbagusesincetherolloutoftheban.Inresponsetoallegationsofinconsistentenforcement,600,000regulatorshavebeensenttogrocerystoresaroundthecountrytomakesurethattheycomply.

Thereductioninrecyclableplasticimportsin2018hascreatedasupplyvoidforChina’splasticprocessingindustry,andtofillit,thegovernmentisfocusingonresponsiblyprocessingthetonsofplasticwasteChinaproducesdomestically.

China’sMinistryofEcologyandEnvironmentannouncedapilotschemetoestablish10zero-wastecities.Thepurchasinghabits,includingsalesofsingle-useplastics,andrecyclinginfrastructureforthe10undisclosedcitieswillbeoverhauledandtightlycontrolledinabidtocreateablueprintthatcanberolledoutacrossChinafrom2020.Theemergenceofthisanti-plasticpollutiontrendgoesbeyondapushforgreaterpublicawareness.

Chile

Policy: ChilehasexpandedthepreviouslyproposedplasticbagbantoapplybeyondcoastalcitiestotheentirecountrymakingitthefirstcountryinSouthAmericatobanplasticbags.Aspartoftheban’senforcement,Chilewillissuefinesofupto$300USDonbusinessesthatcontinuetodistributeplasticbags.Thegovernmentisalsoplanningtocoordinatebeachcleanups,specificallyduringpeakvacationtimeswhenthemostplasticwasteisaccumulatedonthebeach.

Impact:ThepolicyisineffectfromAugust2019.Largerbusinesseswillhavesixmonthstostopusingplasticbagswhilesmallerbusinesseswillhavetwoyearstoadapttoatotalban.Inthemeantime,theywillonlybeallowedtohandouttwocarrybagspercustomer.Withrisingawarenessontheimpactsofplasticpollutiononmarinelife,thispolicyaimstoreduceplasticpollutionintheoceanandwaterways.

Ireland

Policy: Irelandwasthefirstcountrytoplaceasignificanttaxonplasticbags,now22eurocents—atcheckoutin2002.Forthefewbagsthatareused,thegovernmenthasensuredthattherevenuefromthetaxgoesintodifferentprogramsaimedatenvironmentalprotection.

Impact:Thecountrysawasignificantimpactalmostinstantlywithplasticbagconsumptiondroppingby94%,makingthepracticeofusingplasticbagsunacceptablebytheendoftheyear.Havinginspiredothercountriestoaddressthisissue,Irelandprovestobeoneoftheleadingcountriestacklingplasticbagconsumption.

Australia

Policy: TheAustralianCapitalTerritory(ACT)bannedplasticbagusagein2011.Bannedplasticbagsincludeallsingle-usepolyethylenepolymerbagsthatarelessthan35micronsthick.TheAustraliangovernmentencouragedcitizenstobringreusablebagswhenshoppingtoreducetheirenvironmentalimpact.

Impact:Thebanhasbeenwidelysuccessfulineliminatingplasticwastesenttolandfills.IthasalsobecomepopularamongAustraliancitizens,who,ratherthanfeelinginconveniencedbytheban,supportit.AstudyconductedbyACTshowsthatroughly70%ofcitizensdonotwantthebanbeingrescinded.

Sources:https://www.ozy.com/acumen/a-plastic-recycling-revolution-is-brewing-in-china/93680https://www.earthday.org/plasticban/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45066268


Withperilsofplasticusagecominginthelimelightglobally,companieshavetakencognisanceofplasticmismanagementbeingapotentialrisktotheenvironmentaswellasbusinessitself.Thus,companiesaroundtheworldhavestartedincludingsustainablepracticestomanagetheirplasticusageandsetambitiousgoalsthatareinlinewiththeglobalmovementagainstplasticwaste.

FMCG and retail industry

• By 2025, ALDI–theGermansupermarketchain,aimstoachieve100%recyclable,reusableorcompostablepackagingacrossallproductsandtoreducepackagingby50%.Ithasalreadyreplaced265tonnesofhard-to-recycleblackplasticfromfreshfruitandvegetablelinesandswitchedpizzadisksfrompolystyrenetocardboard,thuseliminatingabout180tonnesofplastic.

• Hindustan Unilever (HUL),aspartofUnileverSustainableLivingPlan(USLP),aimstogloballyreduceitsenvironmentalfootprintbyhalfinthemakinganduseoftheirproducts.TheUSLPcommitstoensure100%oftheplasticpackagingisreusable,recyclableorcompostableby2025.Also,25%ofplasticsHULuseswillbesourcedfrompost-consumerrecycledsources.

• Swedish furniture chain IKEA haspledgedtophaseoutsingle-useplasticproductsfromitsstoresandrestaurantsby2020.Thefirmsaysitiscommittedtophasingoutoil-basedplasticsandensuringthatallitsplasticproductsaremadeusingrecycledmaterials.

• Coca-ColalauncheditsWorldWithoutWastecampaigninJanuary,sayingitwouldrecycleausedbottle/canforeverynewonesoldby2030.Ithasalsopledgedtoincreasetheamountofrecycledcontentinplasticbottlesto50%by2030.

• McDonald’s willmakeallitspackagingfromrenewableandrecyclablesourcesby2025.

• FMCG major ITC Ltd.isplanningtomake100%ofitsproductpackagingreusable,recyclableorcompostableinoveradecade.

Sources:https://www.aldi.co.uk/about-aldi/corporate-responsibility/environment/waste-and-recyclinghttps://www.hul.co.in/about/start-a-little-good/start-a-little-good-with-plastic-waste-mangement/https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/from-itc-to-dabur-plastic-waste-control-top-priority-for-fmcg-firms-118061300024_1.htmlhttps://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/what-are-businesses-doing-turn-plastic-taphttps://www.thisisplastics.com/environment/the-purpose-of-single-use-plastics/https://www.livemint.com/industry/retail/flipkart-outlines-vision-to-eliminate-single-use-plastic-1567080723111.htmlhttps://www.livemint.com/industry/retail/amazon-india-to-weed-out-single-use-plastic-packaging-by-june-2020-1567579715375.htmlhttps://indiacsr.in/sun-pharmas-initiative-to-recycle-plastic/https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/responsibility/environment/environmental-stewardship/https://www.pfizer.com/purpose/workplace-responsibility/green-journey/packaging

E-commerce

• Asof1August2019,Flipkarthadachieveda25%reductioninsingle-useplasticthroughthepackagingvaluechain.Itaimstomovetowards100%recycledplasticconsumptioninitssupplychainbyMarch2021.Flipkartisworkingoneco-friendlypapershreds,replacingpolypoucheswithrecycledpaperbags,replacingbubblewrapsandairbagswithcartonwasteshreddedmaterialand2plyrolls.

• Amazon’s environment-friendlypackagingmaterialwillbeentirelyrecyclable.Itwouldreplaceallsingle-useplasticinitspackagingwithpapercushionsbyJune2020.

Pharmaceuticals

• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.initiatedsettingupoftreatmentandrecyclingplantsthroughregisteredrecyclersandengagedscrapvendorsformaterialslikeplasticandhigh-densitypolyethylene(HDPE).

• GlaxoSmithKlinehasseveralinitiativesinplacetoreduceplasticuse,increaseuseofrecycledplasticcontentandencouragetherecyclingofplasticcomponents.

• Pfizer hasestablishedGreenPackagingDesignGuidelinestoassistinthedevelopmentormodificationofapackagetoreduceitsenvironmentalimpact.IthasformedaSustainablePackagingTeam,whichworkswithbrandmanagersandpackagingdesignerstoadvancesustainablepackagingthroughoutthecompany.

3. Initiatives by businesses


Sources:https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/more-corporates-join-war-on-plastic/article25438733.ecehttps://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/auto-focus/volvo-to-use-recycled-plastic-in-its-cars/article24223048.ecehttps://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/what-are-businesses-doing-turn-plastic-tap

Building and construction

• ACC Ltd.,acement-producingcompany,isalsolookingtoreduceitsplasticwastevolumesthroughco-processingtheplasticinitscementkilns.Frommanagingaround25,000tonnesofplasticwastein2012,ACCislikelytoincreasethevolumefromthecurrent82,000tonnestoabout1.20lakhtonnesayear.

Others

• Dellaimstomakeitspackagingentirelywaste-freeby2020,usingmaterialsfromsustainablesources.Italreadyusesrecycledoceanplasticsaswellasothersustainablematerialssuchasbamboo.Itwantsallpackagingtobeultimatelysuitableforhomecompostingorhouseholdcollection.

• AroundWorldEnvironmentDay,Volvo announced its plan toreplaceatleast25%ofalltheplasticsusedineverynewlylaunchedVolvofrom2025withrecycledmaterial.


4. Partnership initiatives

Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) AEPWismadeupofnearly30majorglobalcompanies.TheyhavecommittedoverUSD1.0billionwiththegoalofinvestingUSD1.5billionoverthenextfiveyearstodevelop,deployandbringtoscalesolutionsthatwillminimiseandmanageplasticwasteandpromotepost-usesolutions.Thesecanberecycling,reuseandrepurposingofplastictokeepitoutoftheenvironment.

Theaimistodevelopsolutionstomitigateplasticpollutionandpromoteacirculareconomybyutilisingusedplastics.Membercompaniesincludethosethatmake,use,sell,process,collectandrecycleplastics,aswellaschemicalandplasticmanufacturers,consumergoodscompanies,retailers,converters,andwastemanagementcompanies,alsocalledtheplasticsvaluechain.FromIndia,RelianceIndustrieswilladvanceeffortstowardsasustainablefuture.ThealliancehasbeenworkingwiththeWorldBusinessCouncilforSustainableDevelopmentasafoundingstrategicpartner.

UK Plastic PactTheUKPlasticsPactisacollaborativeinitiativethatwillcreateacirculareconomyforplastics.Itbringstogetherbusinessesfromacrosstheentireplasticsvaluechain,UKgovernmentandNGOstotacklethescourgeofplasticwaste.TheUKPlasticsPactisthenationalimplementationbyWRAP.ItwasmadepossiblebythesupportprovidedbytheEllenMacArthurFoundation.By2025,theUKPlasticsPactwilltransformtheUKplasticpackagingsectorbymeetingfourworld-leadingtargets:

• 100%ofplasticpackagingtobereusable,recyclableorcompostable• 70%ofplasticpackagingeffectivelyrecycledorcomposted• Takeactiontoeliminateproblematicorunnecessarysingle-usepackagingitemthroughredesign,innovation

oralternatedeliverymodels• 30%averagerecycledcontentacrossallplasticpackagingItaimstoinspiremembersandsupporterstoactandtogalvanisebroaderactionbygovernments,funders,investors,NGOsandbusinesseswhoarenotmembersoftheUKPlasticsPact.

The UN-plastic CollectiveTheUN-plasticCollective(UPC)isco-foundedbytheConfederationofIndianIndustry(CII),UNEPandWWF-India.Thecollectiveseekstominimiseexternalitiesofplasticsontheecologicalandsocialhealthofourplanet.Theword‘un-plastic’specificallyreferstomovingalltypesofplasticinacirculareconomy,movingunnecessaryplasticinthelongrun,whileusingsustainablealternativematerials.

UPCmembersseekto:

• eliminateunnecessaryuseofplastic• reuseplasticsandreduceplasticleakage,circulateplasticwithintheeconomy• reduceandreplaceplasticwithsustainablealternativematerialsinthelongterm• settimebound,publiccommitmentstoreduceplasticexternalities

Sources:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/global-alliance-of-companies-to-eliminate-plastic-waste-launched/articleshow/67560496.cms?from=mdrhttp://www.wrap.org.uk/content/what-uk-plastics-pacthttps://www.wwfindia.org/?18581/UNEP-CII-and-WWF-India-launch-Un-plastic-Collective


Approach and methodology for plastic lifecycle management


India’shighrecyclingratecanbeattributedtothelifestylewhichisbasedonthemaximumrecoveryofresourcesbeforedisposal,butstilltheplasticwastegenerationisatanall-timehighandhasresultedinplasticpenetratingallcomponentsoftheenvironment.Withplasticbecomingmoreandmorediversified,theapproachandmethodologytomanageitafteritsend-of-useneedtobeprogressivetoo.

Hence,theconventionalpracticeoflinearconsumptionandtraditionalnotionofcircularityneedtodevelopintoonethatisallencompassingoftherespectivestakeholdersyetatthesametimecomprehensivetocoverdifferentsocial-economicandecologicalconditions.

Single-useplastics,oftenalsoreferredtoasdisposableplastics,arecommonlyusedforplasticpackagingandincludeitemsintendedtobeusedonlyoncebeforetheyarethrownawayorrecycled.

Themostcommonsingle-useplasticsfoundintheenvironmentare,inorderofmagnitude,cigarettebutts,plasticdrinkingbottles,plasticbottlecaps,foodwrappers,plasticgrocerybags,plasticlids,strawsandstirrers,othertypesofplasticbags,andtake-awayfoamcontainers.Thesearethewasteproductsofathrowawayculturethattreatsplasticasadisposablematerialratherthanavaluableresourcetobeharnessed.

AccordingtoaUNreportonsingle-useplastics,morethan60countrieshaveintroducedbansorleviesonsingle-useplastics,andthatbansandleviesareoneofthemosteffectivewaystoreducetheuseofdisposableplasticitems.

50%ofthecountriesthathaveimplementedbansorleviesdidnothavesufficientdatatoassesstheenvironmentalimpactofthepolicies;oftheother50%,30%ofthebanssignificantlyreducedtheuseofplasticbagswithinayear,and20%hadlittleimpact,eitherduetoweakenforcementorlackofalternatives.

PlasticaccountsforatenthofallthewasteIndiagenerates,andabouthalftheplasticusedissingle-useanddisposable.Indiahasbeenastrongproponentofmanagingitsplasticwasteandhasbeenfirmonlawsrelatedtoit.Twenty-fiveIndianstates/unionterritoriesnowhavesomeformofbanonplastic(primarilypolythenecarrybags),buttheenforcementoftheselawshasbeenamajorchallenge.ThestateofSikkim,however,hascomeoutasasuccessstoryineffectivelyexecutingtherestrictions.

i. Phasing out single-use plastic

1. Refuse and reduce

Sources:https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25496/singleUsePlastic_sustainability.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=yhttps://ecowatch.com/global-plastics-report-united-nations-2575329817.htmlhttps://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jul/03/himalayan-state-sikkim-india-war-plastic-bags


Case study: Antigua and BarbudaInJanuary2016,AntiguaandBarbudaprohibitedtheimporting,manufacturingandtradingofplasticshoppingbags.InJulyofthesameyear,thedistributionofsuchbagsatpointsofsalewasbanned,leavingenoughtimeforretailerstofinishtheirstockssinceplasticbagssoldinlargeretailersaccountedfor90%oftheplastic.

Thebanwasfirstimplementedinmajorsupermarkets,andlaterextendedtosmallershops.

What worked well

Keyelementsofthepolicy’ssuccessincludefourroundsofstakeholderconsultationstoensureengagementandacceptanceoftheplan.

Anawareness-raisingcampaigntitled“I’mmakingadifferenceonebagatatime”includedfrequenttelevisionshortclipsbytheMinisterofHealthandtheEnvironmentprovidinginformationontheprogressofthebanandfeedbackfromstakeholders.Ajinglewasproducedtopromotetheuseofdurablebagsforacleanerandhealthierenvironment.Moreover,shopperswereprovidedwithreusablebagsoutsidesupermarkets,anddressmakersandtailorsweretaughthowtomanufacturesuchbagstomeetincreasingdemand.Majorsupermarketswerealsorequiredtoofferpaperbagsfromrecycledmaterial,inadditiontoreusableones.Toencouragethemanufacturinganduseofalternativestoplasticbags,thelegislationincludedalistofmaterialsthatremainedtax-free,suchassugarcane,bamboo,paper,andpotatostarch.

Impact

Inthefirstyear,thebancontributedtoa15.1%decreaseintheamountofplasticdiscardedinlandfillsinAntiguaandBarbudaandpavedthewayforadditionalpoliciestargetingthereductionofplastics.Forinstance,theimportofplasticfoodservicecontainersandcupswasprohibitedinJuly2017.AsofJanuary2018,single-useplasticutensilswerebanned,aswerefoodtraysandeggcartons.

Source:SwachhBharatMission(Urban)PlasticWasteManagement-Issues,SolutionsandCaseStudies

Case study: SikkimAsunenvironment.orgapprovinglynotes,“Despitebeingsmallandisolated,andwithitspeopleleadingtheirlivesinextremelytoughmountainousterrain,SikkimhasemergedasoneofIndia’senvironmentalleaders.”

Sikkim,whichin1998becamethefirstIndianstatetobandisposableplasticbags,isalsoamongthefirsttotargetsingle-useplasticbottles.In2016,Sikkimtooktwosignificantdecisions.Itprohibitedtheuseofpackageddrinkingwateringovernmentofficesandgovernmentevents.Second,itbannedtheuseofstyrofoamandthermocoldisposableplatesandcutleryintheentirestateinamovetocutdowntoxicplasticpollutionandtackleitsever-increasinggarbageproblem.

What worked well

Withmassiveawarenessdrivesandpenalties,thisbanhasbeenimpactful.Sikkim’sresidentsnowoptforplatesmadeofpaper,leaf,bagasseandevenarecanut.Governmentofficeshaveswitchedtoalternativeslikefilteredwater,largereusabledispensersandreusablewaterbottlesforfunctionsandmeetings.

Impact

Heftyfinesareimposedandshopkeepers’licencesarenotrenewediftheyarefoundusingplasticbags.Consumershavealsobeenregularlymadeawareoftheharmfuleffectsofplastic.Aresearchin2018byaMumbai-basedNGOeCoexistfoundthat66%ofshopsaroundSikkimusedpaperbagsornewspapers.

Ontopofthis,touristsarebeingtoldnottobringinplasticbottlesofwater.Toencouragethem,cleanwaterpointshavebeensetupwherewater,certifiedassafebythegovernment,issoldtofillreusablebottles.


Types of instruments to reduce single-use plastic waste

Overview of method Example of applications Positive impacts

Voluntaryreduction strategies

Itbuildsontheunderstandingthatforchangetobelonglasting,itneedstobevoluntaryandbasedonchoice

Promotionofreusablealternativestosingle-useplastic(eg,promotionofreusablebags,reusablebottles,etc.)

Allowstimeforthepopulationtochangeconsumptionpatterns,whichcantriggerchangesamongmanufacturers;allowstimeforaffordableandeco-friendlyalternativestoenterthemarket

Public-privatepartnership

Theagreementsetstheoverreachinggoalbutleavesthechoicetotheprivatesectoronhowtoachievetheresults

Voluntaryagreementsbetweengovernmentandretailers(eg,toencourageretailstovoluntarilybanorphaseoutsingle-useplasticbags) Validalternativestobans;achieves

reductionsinsingle-useplasticconsumptionsandstimulatesbusinesses

Agreementwithproducers(eg,tovoluntarilyestablishextended producer responsibility,includingdepositreturnscheme)

Publiceducation

Itrequiresagradualandtransformationalprocess-keytochangeconsumers’behaviour

Introductionofenvironmentalconservationprinciplesinschoolcuirriculums

Commondenominatorforthesuccessofanyinitiative

Socialcampaigns

Policyinstruments

Regulatory

Banstheuse,sale,etc.,ofcertainsingle-useplasticitems Ban(totalorpartial)

Relativelysimpletointroduce;canreducetheamountofsingle-useplasticconsumed;canbeasteptowardsmorecomprehensivepolicies

Lawsandactsmandatingthatpackagingmanufacturersbearsomeresponsibilityinrecoveringpackagingitem

Extendedproducerresponsibility

Reducesamountofpackaginglingeringintheenvironment;fostersbusinessresponsibility;stimulatesrecyclingsector

Economic Levisortaxesoncertainitems

Levyonsuppliers

Dissuasiveeffect, leadingtobehaviouralchange;generates(shortterm)income

Levyonretailers

Levyonconsumers

Combinationofregulatoryand economic

Banandlevy

AcombinationoftheaboveExtendedproducerresponsibility

TheUNreportonsingle-useplasticshighlightsexamplesofeffectiveinstrumentstominimisesingle-useplasticwastagebasedontheanalysisofstakeholder-wiseplasticwastemanagementstrategiesadoptedacrosstheglobe.

Source:https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25496/singleUsePlastic_sustainability.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1


TheUNreportalsopresentsa10-steproadmaptoguidegovernmentsthatdecidetooptforapolicyapproach(theintroductionofabanorlevy).Theroadmapdrawsupontheexperiences,bothpositiveandnegative,ofover60countriesthathavealreadyimplementedbansandleviesonsingle-useplastics(primarilyplasticbagsandStyrofoam)

Source:https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25496/singleUsePlastic_sustainability.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1

7

Know the baseline

• Identifythemostproblematicsingle-useplastic

• Assess current causes• Assess extent• Assessimpacts• Evaluateconsumers’willingness

topay

Evaluate possible action

Assess impact of preferred option

• Regulatory• Voluntary• Economic• Combination

• Social• Economic• Environmental

• Government(centralandlocal)• Industry• Retailers• Wastemanagementauthority• Citizens• Tourismassociations

Engage stakeholders

Raise awareness

• Educationprogrammes• TVadverts• Campaignstoexplain:

– Whyisthepolicybeingintroduced?

– Aretherepunitive measures?

1

3

5

2

4

10

6

8

Monitor and adjust policy

Ringfence revenues

Incentivise industry

Promote alternative

Enforce

• Audits• Surveys• Studiesandinterviews

Inordertosupport:• wasteminimisation• therecyclingindustry• environmentalprojectsandto

financeawarenessinitiatives

• Allowenoughtimefortransition• Offertaxrebates• Keepcertaineco-friendly

materialstax-free

• Eco-friendly• Affordable• Fit for purpose

• Setrolesandresponsibilities• Ensuresufficienthuman-power

forenforcement• Communicatetheenforcement

process• Prosecuteoffendersinlinewith

policyrevisions

9


TheapproximatesizeoftheIndianplasticindustryismorethan2,000exporters,150plasticprocessingmachinerymanufacturersandmorethan30,000processingunits.Around85-90%ofthesectorremainssmall-scale.Thedomesticplasticconsumptionisexpectedtotouch20millionmetrictonnesby2020.

Plasticbanandleviesareseenasarisktotheplasticmanufacturingindustriesandtheonesactivelyusingthematerialintheirsupplychain.Thus,anti-plasticlawshavebeenunderscrutinyforfearsofjoblossesandanincreaseintheeconomicburdenforsuppliersandconsumers.

However,astheawarenessabouttheharmfuleffectsofplasticincreasesamongthegeneralpublic,therewillbeadominoeffectontheeconomyaseachofthesesectorswillbegintofeelthepressureofconsumertrendschanging.Thiswill,inturn,increasethedemandforalternativeproductssuchaspaperstraws,paperbags,cotton/jutebags,glassbottles,aluminiumcans,etc.,thusbringingopportunitiesformanufacturersofmoreenvironmentallysustainableproductsandbusinessesinvolvedwithpackaginganddistributionofgoods.Legislativechangesalsohavebeenseentoactasacatalystforforward-thinkingcompaniestolookforalternativesintheirsupplychainandaccelerateresearchintoproductdesignandpackaging.

Withrecycledproductsbeingthemostfeasiblego-toalternatives,therecyclingindustryisthefirsttoexperiencesignificantgrowthascanbeseeninChina,whichiswitnessingaplasticrecyclingrevolution.

ii. Implications and opportunities

China and plastic recycling revolution

Rwandan alternative packaging market

China,beforethebanonplasticimportsin2017,accountedfor45%oftheworld’splasticwastedespitehavingnoinfrastructureinplacetoeffectivelyprocessit.Evensincetheban,China’spopulationisstillresponsiblefor28%oftheworld’splasticpollution.

ThusthegovernmentrampedupeffortstodealwithChina’smountainsofwastebyworkingonablueprinttoestablish10zero-wastecitiesbyoverhaulingsale,creatingarobustrecyclinginfrastructure,catalysingscientificinnovationsandchangingconsumptionhabitsofconsumersthroughawareness.

AccordingtoChina’sPeople’sDailynewspaper,thevalueoftherecyclingindustryinChinacouldbemorethanUSD1trillionandaccountfor40millionnewjobsby2030.

Rwandapassedalawbanningtheimportanduseofnon-biodegradablepackagingbagsin2008.Aftertheplasticsban,investorstappedintotheopportunityandestablishedalternativepackingindustriesaswellasplasticsrecyclingplants.

BonusIndustries,whichwasstartedaftertheplasticsbagsbaninRwanda,producespaperbagsforflourpackaging,papershoppingbags,wax-coatedpaperforpackagingbread,grocerypaperbags,confectionerybags,seedbagsandothers,whichareusedbysupermarketsinthecountryforpackaging.

BonusIndustriesproduced160tonnesofgrocerybags,and60tonnesofbreadpackagingmaterialeverymonthin2017andwasabletoexport78tonnesofbiodegradablebagsforUSD250,000.

Sources:BeatPlasticPollution,MinistryofEnvironment,ForestandClimateChangehttps://www.ozy.com/acumen/a-plastic-recycling-revolution-is-brewing-in-china/93680https://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/read/220257


Public awareness about plasticsAwareness among consumers is imperative to bring about a change in consuming habits and the throwaway culture embedded in the society. As plastic keeps getting more sophisticated, a lack of public awareness has led to single-use plastic’s irrational use and people disposing of plastic improperly, thus resulting in the contamination of collections since not all the plastic can be recycled. This further raises the cost of recycling and the amount of plastic going to waste.

Hence, adequate know-how about the plastic lifecycle and its management is critical since it is ultimately the consumer that drives the market and all the stakeholders within it.

Campaigns and petitionsPublic pressure can act as a trigger for policy decision-making at all levels of governance as well as the corporate sector.

In Bali, for instance, the ‘Bye Bye Plastic Bags’ initiative is a social campaign led by the youth to mobilise people in Bali to say no to plastic bags. Two teenagers campaigned for over four years to get plastic bags banned from the island, starting with a petition that collected over 100,000 signatures. Despite initial resistance from the local government, the governor eventually signed a memorandum of understanding to phase out plastic bags by 2018.

In Ireland, a nationwide ‘shop and drop day’ was organised, in which shoppers left plastic packaging behind in supermarkets to convince companies and consumers to cut down on unnecessary plastic.

IncentivesIncentivising results in better understanding of the impact generated and creates an environment of deliberations among the stakeholders.

CupClub is a London-based start-up which is attempting to overcome the coffee cup challenge. The business offers consumers a plastic coffee cup designed for reuse, which can be returned at collection points at collaborating retailers. A rewards-based system incentivises consumers and coffee retailers to engage in the scheme as well as covering the costs of reverse logistics

The Netherlands used an innovative approach to reduce and dispose of plastics. For waste pick-up, residents only pay for the disposal of trash, not recyclables. Thus, a simple solution: the more you throw away, the more you pay, which creates a significant incentive to reuse or recycle.

iii. Awareness, campaigns and incentives

Sources:https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/eu-weighs-ban-single-use-plastics-these-european-countries-are-moving-aheadhttps://www.oecd.org/environment/waste/background-paper-policy-approaches-to-incentivise-sustainable-plastic-design.pdfhttps://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/eu-weighs-ban-single-use-plastics-these-european-countries-are-moving-ahead


Case study: Rwanda: Umuganda - Coming together for a common purposeUmuganda is an organised community work in which about 80% of Rwandans take part in on the last Saturday of every month. It is compulsory for Rwandans aged 18 to 65 years to come together for just 3 hours and work on projects that usually involve infrastructure development or environmental protection. Expatriates and those over 65 who can take part are also encouraged to do so.

If citizens cannot participate for any reason, they can inform the committee; however, community members who can participate and do not could be fined up to USD 8 (RWF 5,000). Before fines are issued, the person will be warned and encouraged to attend. Furthermore, the revenue from collected fines supports community work.

Impact

Umuganda allowed the country to clear up plastic bag waste from drains, rivers, farms, cities and villages, by working together, Rwanda has become the cleanest country in East Africa. It became a simple, cost-effective way to address some of society’s most pressing issues.

Other successful outcomes of this national volunteering day include the building of schools, medical centres and hydroelectric plants to rehabilitating wetlands and creating clean water supplies. Umuganda is estimated to have contributed more than USD 60 million to the country’s development since 2007.

The Government of Rwanda introduced the National Umuganda Competition in 2009 to raise awareness of Umuganda and to increase participation. All levels of Rwandan society are involved - from the village up to the national level. The best activity in each district gets a certificate and funding for future projects. Additionally, the best three projects from across Rwanda are awarded a cash prize of between USD 1,500 and USD 2,300.

Source:Ananalysisoftheeffectivenessofplasticbagbans-Coexist


2. Reuse and replacei. ReuseReusemodelsaresometimesconsideredburdensomeorathingofthepast.However,innovativereusemodelscanunlocksignificantbenefits,enabledbydigitaltechnologiesandshiftinguserpreferences.Suchmodelscanhelpdeliversuperioruserexperience,customiseproductstoindividualneeds,gatheruserinsights,buildbrandloyalty,optimiseoperationsandsavecosts.

Reusepresentsaninnovationopportunitytochangethewaywethinkaboutpackagingfromsomethingasinexpensiveandlightaspossibletoviewitasahigh-valueassetthatcandeliversignificantbenefitstousersandbusinesses.

Case study: Business-to-business

Case study: Business-to-customer

Swedish Return System for grocery distribution

SwedishReturnSystemdeliversreusablecratesandpalletstotheproducer.Thereusableunitsarefilledanddeliveredtothewholesalerandthenontotheretailoutlet.Theretaileremptiesthecratesandpalletsofgoodsandreturnsthemtothewholesaler.SwedishReturnSystemthentakesbackthereusablecratesandpalletsforqualitycontrolandwashing,afterwhichtheyarereadytobeusedagain.SwedishReturnSystemhasbeenoperatingsince1997andiscurrentlyenablingreusecratestobeusedforhalfofallfreshfooddeliveriesinSweden.

Benefits

• Cratesareventedwhichdonotattractmoistureandprotectprimarypackagingtoreduceproductdamageduringtransport.

• Returnlogisticsareoptimisedandtransportationcostsareloweredduetolightweightpalletsweighing10kglessthanaEuro-pallet.

• ReusablecratesreduceCO2-equivalentemissionsby74%comparedtosimilardisposablecardboardpackaging.

• Crateshavealifetimeof15years.Whenwornout,thecratesarerecycledandusedintheproductionofnewcrates.

Confectionery closed-loop recycling programme and Loop packaging

Nestléhasformedaclosed-looprecyclingprogrammewithwastemanagementcompanyTerraCycleintheUKandIrelandforitsconfectioneryflexibleplasticpackaging.Pouches,bagsandwrappersfromsinglebars,blocksandmultipacksofpopularbrandslikeKitKat,MilkybarandAerowillbeacceptedthroughtheConfectioneryRecyclingProgramme.

ConsumersareencouragedtodepositusedwrappersintheirlocalTerraCyclebin.TerraCyclethenaccumulatesthewastebeforesendingittoaspecialistrecyclertobeturnedintoplasticpellets.Thesepelletsaresoldtoplasticmanufacturerswhocancreatenew,solidplasticproductslikechairsandstorageboxes.

TheultimategoalfortheNestléconfectioneryportfolioistofindwaystoremovenon-recyclablematerialsanddeveloprecyclablealternativeswherepossible.InadditiontothisNestléhasalsoannounceditspartnershipwithTerraCycleinLoop,asubscriptionhomedeliveryserviceforhouseholdfoodsandpersonalcareproductswithreusablepackaging.

Deliverieswillbemadetotheconsumer’sfrontdoorstepincustomised,durablepackaging,whichisthencollected,cleaned,refilledandreused.Thus,itprovidesaplatformtointegratereusableproductpackagingaspartofNestle’seffortstoreducewaste.

Sources:

Reuse:RethinkingPackaging(EllenMacArthurFoundation)https://www.nestle.com/media/news/nestle-haagen-dazs-loop-reusable-packaging-initiativehttps://packaginginsights.com/news/nestlé-teams-with-terracycle-for-confectionery-closed-loop-recycling-program.html


ii. Replace: Alternatives to plasticThereisarequirementofenvironment-friendlyalternativesthatareatparinsuitabilityandpracticabilitytoplastics.Onesuchoptionthatisgainingtractionisbiodegradableplasticandcompostableplastic,buttheyhavetheirlimitations.

Acrucialchallengeofbiodegradableplasticsisthattheytendtoneedparticularwastemanagementmethodswhicharenotalwayswidelyavailable.Theyusuallyneedtobeseparatedfromthetraditionalrecyclingstream(whichcanbedifficultandexpensive)andhavetogotospecificcompostablefacilities.Thisdoesnotmeansuchmethodsareunfeasible,buttheycouldinvolveadditionaleconomiccost,especiallyiftheyareinthewastestreamatlowconcentrations.Theywouldrequiresignificantworkintermsofinfrastructureredesign.

Thus,countriestacklingcollectionandsegregationinplasticmanagementneedalternativesthataresimplerandeconomicaltoadapt.Afewsuchinnovationsarementionedbelow:

Recycling vegetable waste

AshwathHegde,anNRIentrepreneurfromQatar,hasdevisedaplasticbagmadefromnaturalproductssuchastapiocastarchgranules,vegetableoilandwaste.Thecompanyhasvariousproductsrangingfrombiodegradabletrashbagsandsachetstowrappingfilmandcarrybags.TheaveragecostoftheplasticbagisINR3.

Edible cutlery

NarayanaPeesapatiandhisventureBakey’smanufactureediblecutleryfromamixofjowar,riceandwheatflour.Bakey’sofferssavoury,sweetandplainspoonsthatcanbeeaten,orlefttodecompose,postuse.

Silicone-clad borosilicate glass lunch boxes and water bottles

Mumbai-basedTintboxprovidessilicone-cladborosilicateglasslunchboxesandwaterbottlesthatareeco-friendly,non-toxic,andchemicallyinactive.Theouterprotectivesiliconesleeveensurestheydonotbreakevenafterfalling.

Sachets made of regenerated cellulose

AsapartofaninnovationcompetitionconductedbyFMCGgiantHindustanLever,studentsofIITMadrasdevelopedanovel

packagingmaterialfromcellophane,whichisregeneratedcelluloseandisentirelybiodegradable.Itisaneco-friendlyalternativetopackageedibleandnon-edibleproducts.Thecorporategianthasnowshownaninterestinincorporatingthisinnovationintoitsproductpackaging.

Shower-friendly paper

BeautybehemothL’Oréalhaslaunchedaneco-beautyrange,SeedPhytonutrients.MadebyEcologic,theoutercardisrecyclable,compostable,glue-freeandwater-resistant.Theinnerlinerismadewithrecyclableplasticanduses60%lessmaterialthanregularplasticbottles.

Colgate bamboo charcoal toothbrush

TheColgatebamboocharcoaltoothbrushismadewith100%natural,biodegradablebambooandisfreefromplasticpackaging.

Water bubbles made from seaweed

TheBritishstart-upOohocreatedanedibleseaweed-basedwaterbubblethatcouldbeasustainablesolutiontotheproblemoftheecologicalfootprintofplasticbottles.Thissmallediblebubblecontains4cldrinkingwater.

Papelyco

PlantablepaperplatesbyPapelycoareaninnovativealternative.Onceused,theplatesneedtobeplacedinthegroundandaplantwillgrowoutofit.Theyevenincludeessentialmineralsintheplatetoprovidethenewsaplingwiththenutrientsitneedstogrow.

Jute bags

Jutebagsareanexcellentoldalternativetoplasticbags.Juteorhessianbagshavehighstrengthandlonglifeascomparedtootherbags.Likecotton,juteisalsonaturalrenewablesourcewhichisbiodegradableandcompostable.JuteplantsalsocleansetheairbyconsuminggreenhouseCO2.

Mushroom packaging

Developedin2007byEcovativeDesign,mushroompackagingismadefrommyceliumandisahighperformingpackagingsolution,costcompetitivewithconventionalfoams,and100%homecompostable.

Sources:https://ourworldindata.org/faq-on-plastics#are-plastic-alternatives-better-for-the-environmenthttps://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2017/03/environment-friendly-plastic/https://yourstory.com/2018/07/startups-throw-plastic-kitchen-ecofriendly-alternativeshttps://yourstory.com/2018/02/tintbox-offers-healthier-sustainable-alternative-plastic-lunch-boxes-bottleshttps://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2018/07/02/13-plastic-packaging-alternatives/https://www.colgate.com/en-gb/products/toothbrush/colgate-bamboo-charcoal-softhttps://medium.com/@shippr/top-5-alternatives-to-plastic-packaging-5-f946c9bbe57dhttps://www.goodnet.org/articles/5-biodegradable-plastic-companies-for-greener-futurehttps://medium.com/@greenhandle/beatplasticpollution-top-5-alternative-green-shopping-bags-3303118ce9ahttps://mushroompackaging.com/


3. Upcycling and downcycling

Upcyclinganddowncyclingarepartoftherecyclingprocessthatmakeuseofwasteasaresourcetoproduceproductwithahigherorlowervalue

i. UpcyclingUpcyclingistheprocessofmakinguseofbyproductsorwastematerialsratherthanusingnewrawmaterials,togenerateadifferentproductofgreatervalue,whileretainingtheexistingmaterialsqualityandfeatures.

Upcyclingresultsingivingextendedlifetoanexistingproductandthusresultsinreductionofenergyusage,wateruse,pollutionandcarbonfootprint.

Asconsumersaregettingmoreaware,upcyclingisofferingcompaniesaroundtheworldacompellingmarketingnarrativeandapathtoinnovatetheirproductlinetohavemultipleusecycles.

SomeofthecompaniesusingUpcyclingareasfollows:

Adidas

AdidaspartneredwiththeenvironmentalorganisationParleyfortheOceansin2015toturnmarinepollutionintosportswear.Theyusedwasterecycledplasticbottlesasareplacementforvirginpolyesterandexpecttomake11millionpairsofshoeswithoceanplastic.Adidassaysthepartnershiphasprevented2,810tonsofplasticfromreachingtheoceans.

Reliance Industries

Thecompany,whichhasitsrootsinthepolyesterbusiness,hasstartedconvertingusedplasticbottlesintoclothestomakesustainableclothingaffordableandaccessible.IthaspartneredwithbrandslikeArrow,Wrangler,RaymondandLeeamongotherinternationalbrands.

Furthermore,itisalsoworkingonwaystofurtherrecycletheseproductsoncetheyhavebeenusedbyconsumers,byhavingasysteminplacewherecustomerscanreturnusedproductsatthestoreandgetadiscount.

The RED Group

TheGroup-ledREDcyclePrograminAustralia,partneringwithbrandslikeColesandWoolworths,collectssoftplasticpackaginglikebreadbags,frozenvegetablebags,pasta

bags,biscuitpacketsandsachetsthatconsumersbringfromhometothesupermarketeverytimetheyshop.ThematerialiscollectedandprocessedbyREDGroupandthenshippedtoAustralian-basedmanufacturerReplas,whereitisreprocessedintonewproducts.Morethan100millionpiecesofplastichavebeensavedfromthelandfillbythisprogrammeinthepastthreeyearsandturnedintooutdoorplasticproductssuchasbollards,fencing,deckingandfurniture.

Delta Airlines

DeltaAirlinesannouncedaprojecttoupcycle350,000poundsofretireduniformsintobagsandpassportcoverswiththehelpofPortland-basedmanufacturerLooptworks.

Loop Industries

LoopIndustries,inpartnershipwithcosmeticscompanyL’OréalGroup,convertswastePETplasticandpolyesterfibreintoLoopPETwhichcanbeendlesslyupcycled.Furthermore,theyhavealsoturnedshreddedplasticandclothingintonewbottlesforPepsi,EvianandCoca-Cola.

Phinix

Phinixisatextileupcyclingstart-upthatcollectstextilewastesandtransformsthemintohigh-valueproductssuchasfootwear,fashionaccessoriesandlifestylepiecesinsteadofleavingthemtobediscardedinlandfills.

Playback Clothing

PlaybackClothingcreatestees,hoodies,andsweatshirtsbytransformingtrash-plasticbottlesandclothingscraps-intoenvironment-friendlyclothing.Thecompanyalsoretainstheoriginalcolouroftherecycledmaterial(sonochemicaldyes).

Hipcycle

Hipcycle,anonlineretailer,upcyclesgoodstocreatehomedecor,jewelleryandfashionaccessoriesthataredurable,affordableandfashionable.

Preserve

Preserveisacompanythatcollectsrecycledgoodsandmakestoothbrushesandkitchenware.Mostoftheserecycledgoodsincluderecycledplasticyogurtcontainers,lipbalmtubesandwater-filteringsystems.

Sources:https://www.businessinsider.in/Adidas-is-turning-plastic-ocean-waste-into-sneakers-and-sportswear/articleshow/70948890.cmshttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/garments-/-textiles/from-plastic-to-fashion-ril-finds-business-in-sustainability/articleshow/70868575.cmshttps://www.plastixanz.com.au/page.asp?PageID=%7BFF2A81AB-4A1F-46E8-81E4-1BB88F4153E9%7D&Library=What+impact+will+a+plastic+bag+ban+have+on+the+local+industryhttps://www.greenbiz.com/article/down-upcyclinghttps://www.businessinsider.in/This-company-turns-shredded-plastic-and-clothing-into-new-bottles-for-Pepsi-Evian-and-Coca-Cola/articleshow/70572877.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppsthttps://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/how-4-asia-pacific-entrepreneurs-are-cashing-going-plastic-freehttps://www.organicauthority.com/live-grow/5-companies-with-upcycling-ideas-that-work


ii. DowncyclingDowncyclingistheprocessofmakinguseofby-productsorwastematerialsratherthanusingnewrawmaterials,togeneratethesameordifferentproductofalesservalue,withqualityofexistingmaterialdowngraded.

Upcyclingofaproductcanonlybedonealimitednumberoftimes,andthusdowncyclingplaysacriticalroleinkeepingthematerialintheclosed-loopcycle.

Thereareprimarilytwotypesofdowncycling:

Mechanical recycling

Thisreferstotheprocessingofplasticswasteintosecondaryrawmaterialorproductswithoutsignificantlychangingthechemicalstructureofthematerial.

Feedstock recycling (or chemical recycling)

Itistheprocessofchangingthechemicalstructureofplasticwaste,convertingitintoshortermolecules,readytobeusedfornewchemicalreactions.

Furthermore,RelianceIndustriesisalsoworkingonwaystofurtherrecycletheseproductsoncetheyhavebeenusedbyconsumers,byhavingasysteminplacewherecustomerscanreturnusedproductsatthestoreandgetadiscount.

Case study: Construction of roadsAgovernmentorderinNovember2015hasmadeitmandatoryforallroaddevelopersinthecountrytousewasteplastic,alongwithbituminousmixes,forroadconstruction.ItwasmandatedtohelpovercomethegrowingproblemofplasticwastedisposalinIndia.

What worked well

Theprocessiseasyanddoesnotrequirenewmachinery.Foreverykiloofstone,50gramsofbitumenisused,and1/10thofthisisplasticwaste;thisreducestheamountofbitumenbeingused.Plasticincreasestheaggregateimpactvalueandimprovesthequalityofflexiblepavements.Wearandtearoftheroadshavebeendecreasedtoalargeextent.

Impact

Theprocessofaggregatingplasticonroadconstructionshasledtoagenerationofadditionaljobsforragpickers.Plasticwastehelpsincreasethestrengthoftheroad,reducingroadfatigue.Roadshavebetterresistancetorainwaterandcoldweather.Sincealargeamountofplasticwasteisrequiredforasmallstretchofroad,theamountofplasticwasteconsumedfortheconstructionofroadshelpsinthemanagingofplastic.

Indiahasbuiltonelakhkilometresofroadsinatleast11statesusingdiscardedplastic.Therevolutionofplasticwasteroadsstartedbrewingin2015whentheCentremadeitmandatoryforallroaddevelopersinthecountrytouseplasticwasteforroadconstruction.Thisinitiativefallsinlinewiththegovernment’sSwachhBharatAbhiyanthataimstoaddressIndia’sgarbagecrisis.

Sources:https://www.plasticseurope.org/en/focus-areas/circular-economy/zero-plastics-landfill/recycling-and-energy-recoveryhttps://www.thebetterindia.com/43685/plastic-waste-in-road-construction-plastic-man-india-prof-vasudevan/https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/plastic-waste-roads-one-lakh-kilometre-india-20274https://www.mohua.gov.in


Case study: Unique stone block made with plastic coating

Case study: Waste to tiles

Plastoneblocksusegraniteandceramicwaste,alongwiththeplasticwasteandhavebeenfoundtowithstandmorepressureandresistwaterpercolation.Itcanbeusedforflooring,especiallyoutdoors,andisacheapandstrongsubstituteforcementblock.Additionally,itcanbeaneffectivelinerforwaterbodies,especiallycanals,preventingwaterseepage.Eachplastoneblockconsumesabout300plasticbagsand6PETbottles.Itcanbeaneffectivelinerforwaterbodies,especiallycanals,preventingwaterseepage.Itcanalsobeusedtoraisecompoundwalls.Acoatofemulsioncanbeprovidedtomakeitcolourfulandattractive.

TheMaharastragovernmenthasdecidedtoprocurethetechnologyformakingplastone,auniquestoneblockmadewithaplasticcoating,fromRajagopalanVasudevan,knownastheplasticmanofIndia.

Bengaluru-basednon-profitSwachhadevelopedasolutionthatcanconvertdiscardedplasticwasteintotilesandirrigationpipes.InassociationwiththeBruhatBengaluruMahanagaraPalike(BBMP),Swachhahasdevelopedwhattheyarecalling‘Re-Tile’-tileswhichcustomerscanuseonpavements.ThisisaprojectbytheEcoSolutionsarmofthenon-profit.

What worked well

Thestategovernmentissuedablanketbanonthemanufacturing,storinganddistributionofsingle-useplasticssuchascarrybags,flexbanners,plates,etc.Re-Tilecanbeusedonpavements,aswallcladdingtiles,apartmentwalkwaysandswimmingpoolsbecauseoftheirlightweight.SwachhaRe-Tilerecycledfloortilesaremadeofrecycledpolypropylenematerialsandutiliseauniqueinterlockingedgedesigntoeliminatetheneedforadhesives,makinginstallationquickandinexpensive.

Impact

Thesetilesarenon-porous,flexibleanddurable.Thetilesremainsteadydespiteheavytrafficandfootfall.Theycanbeinstalleddirectlyoverdamagedorproblemfloorswithminimalsub-floorpreparations.Moreover,theyareresistanttomostsolvents,chemicalsandabrasions,andsimpletomaintain,reconfigureorremove.

AnotherinnovativemodelhasbeendevelopedinHyderabadtobeatplasticpollutionandpreventtheplasticfromreachingitslandfill.BambooHouseIndia,asocialenterprise,incollaborationwiththeGreaterHyderabadMunicipalCorporation(GHMC)isusingpavertilesonroadsmadefromthousandsofusedpolybagsandotherplasticitems.

Sources:BeatPlasticPollution-MinistryofEnvironment,ForestandClimateChangehttps://www.thebetterindia.com/43685/plastic-waste-in-road-construction-plastic-man-india-prof-vasudevan/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/waste-to-wealth-state-to-build-toilets-using-plastic-mans-technology/article25062741.ecehttps://www.thebetterindia.com/166565/bengaluru-innovation-plastic-recyclable-tiles-news/https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/plastic-waste-management-hyderabad-to-roads-to-get-paver-tiles-from-waste-plastic-24689/


4. Recovery

Ifenergyisrecoveredfromwaste,itiscategorisedasrecovery.Torecover,anewtechnologypreparesandtreatswastematerialsinordertogenerateenergyandtheenergyproducedbythismethodisusedforvariouspurposes.

i. Waste to energy Processingvariousplasticwasteincementkilnscouldgoalongwayinsolvingtheproblem.

InMarch2008,atrialrunwasconductedwith1.5%plasticwasteassupplementaryfueltocoal.Duringtheuseofplasticwasteasanalternativefuelandrawmaterial(AFR),thematerialandenergyvaluepresentinthewastewasfullyutilisedinthecementkiln.Thisestablishedplasticwasteasaperfectreplacementtothefossilrawmaterialsandfossilfuelsconventionallyutilisedinthekiln.Therewerenoabnormalemissionsofdioxinsorfurans.Therewasnoimpactonthequalityofcement.ThesuccessfultrialrunatACCKymorerevealedthattheproblemofplasticswastedisposalnowhadapotentialsolution.

InNovember2012,RKSrivastavaofMPPCB(MadhyaPradeshPollutionControlBoard)highlightedinhisreporttotheCentralPollutionControlBoard(CPCB)theseveralenvironmentalbenefitsofco-processingofplasticandpolythenewaste.

CPCBapprovedtheresultsofthetrialanddeclaredco-processingofplasticswasteincementkilnsasasuccessfulmethodforenvironmentallysoundplasticswastemanagement.

ii. Plastic to fuelIn2014,Dehradun-basedIndianInstituteofPetroleum(IIP),aconstituentlaboratoryoftheCouncilofScientificandIndustrialResearch(CSIR),developedauniqueprocessofconvertingplasticwastelikepolyetheneandpolypropylene,bothtogetheraccountingfor60%ofplasticwaste,toeithergasolineordiesel.Thetechnologyiscapableofconverting1kgofplasticto750mlofautomotive-gradegasoline.Duetonearlynopresenceofsulphurintheproducedfuel,IIP’splasticconvertedtofuelispureandmeetstheEuroIIIstandards.IIPalsostatedthatavehicleusingthisfuelwouldbeabletorunforatleasttwokilometresmoreperlitre.

GAIL,acentralpublicsectorundertaking,willhelpthegovernment’spremierR&DbodyCSIRinscalingupthenewtechnologytoconvertplasticwastetoautomotive-gradedieselandrollitoutaftersixmonthsofregularoperationofasmallplantinDehradun.ThemovemayhelpIndiadealwiththemenaceofplasticwastetoanextent.

Sources:http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/Beat%20Plastic%20Pollution.pdfhttps://swachhindia.ndtv.com/recycling-plastic-in-india-converting-plastic-waste-to-fuel-the-unrealised-potential-9436/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/csir-and-gail-join-hands-to-scale-up-production-of-diesel-from-plastic-waste-delhi-may-get-such-plant/articleshow/70880430.cms


5. Landfill

i. Tackling existing waste and pollution Indiansthrowout15,342tonnesofplasticwasteeveryday,outofwhichonly60%getsrecycled,mostlybytheinformalsector.Thereisover6,100tonnesofplasticwastebeingdumpedinlandfillsandendingupinstreamsandpollutinggroundwaterresourceseveryyear.Thereisplasticwhichdoesnotdecomposeatall,andsomecantakeupto450yearstocompletelybreakdown.CPCBsurveyed60Indiancitiesandfoundthatplasticaccountsfor8%ofallsolidwaste.Delhiproducesthemaximumplasticwasteinthecountry,followedbyKolkataandAhmedabad.Thebiggesthurdletoplasticrecyclingandwastemanagementissegregationofwasteatsource.

TheUnionMinisterofEnvironmentandForestundertookaninitiativemakingsourcesegregationofwastemandatory.Theinitiativewastomovefromwastetowealth.Dumpingofwasteinlandfillleadstocontaminationofgroundwater.Segregationatthehouseholdlevelwillbeginwithdivisionofwasteintobiodegradable,non-biodegradableanddomestichazardouswaste.

Landfillsarelargeholescarvedintothegroundlinedwithclayandplastictoholdwaste.Itisoneofthemostcommonformsofwastemanagementbutposesseveralproblems.Methaneandcarbondioxideareoftenreleasedfromlandfillsintotheair.Landfillsdonotjustreleasegasesbutalsoliquidslikeleachate,whichcancontaminateundergroundwatersources.

Source:BeatPlasticPollution,Ministryofenvironment,forestandclimatechange

Case study: Kabadiwalla ConnectKabadiwallaConnect,atechnology-basedsocialenterprisebasedinChennai,aimstoleveragetheinformalecosystemofurbanwasterecyclerstodecreasetheamountofwastesenttolandfillsinIndiancitiesby70%.

Atpresent,municipalities,multinationalbrandsandwastemanagementcompaniesfinditachallengetoeffectivelyengagewithinformalstakeholdersdespitegrowingevidenceofthenumerousbenefitsofformingmutuallybeneficialpartnerships.

What worked well

KabadiwallaConnectbringstogethertheinformalsectorformallytoreducetheamountofwastepresentinthelandfillthroughsegregationatthesource.Theinformalecosystemdrivestherecoveryofpost-consumerwasteindevelopingworldcities.KabadiwallaConnectusesitstechnologyplatformtoleveragethealreadyexistinginformalinfrastructuretowardsamoreefficientwastemanagementsystem.TheKabadiwalaConnectplatformmakestheinformalecosystemmoreaccessibletootherplayers.

Impact

KabadiwalaConnectintegratestheinformalecosystemintothereverse-logisticssupplychain.Thishelpsmunicipalities,brands,andwastemanagementcompaniesrecoverwasteefficientlyandmoreinclusively.

Insteadofdevelopinganewsystemforwastemanagement,municipalitiescanusetheinformalinfrastructuretoreduceoperationalcosts,corporationscancarryouttheirextendedproducerresponsibilitythroughit,andapartmentsandsmallbusinessescansendtheirrecyclablewastedirectlytoinformalstakeholdersthatareapartoftheinformalecosystem.


ii. Collection and segregationCollectionandsegregationistheinitialsteptowardsaneffectivewastemanagementsystem.Oneofthemajorproblemsrelatedtosegregationisthatnotallplasticcanberecycled.Lackofpublicawarenessisalsoachallengewhichoftenleadstocontaminationoftheplasticcollectedandeventuallyleadstoincreaseinexpenditureinrecycling.

IntheUnitedStates,forexample,theintroductionofsingle-streamrecyclingwhererecyclablesarenotseparatedinhouseholdcollectionsledtoasurgeinrecyclingrates.Also,asplasticbecamemorecomplex,peoplestartedplacingwrong

thingsintheirbins.AccordingtotheUNEnvironment’sreportTheStateofPlastics,“Chemicalsaddedtoplasticpolymers,productsmadeofmixedmaterialsandfoodpackagingcontaminatedwithfoodwastemakerecyclingdifficultandcostly.”

Withoutsegregation,itisdifficulttomanageplastic.Forsomemajor,citiesthesegregationratesarereallylow,sothecontaminateddrywasteisdiscardedbyallrecyclersandultimatelyendsupinlandfills.Recyclingofplasticisalongprocessinwhichthecollection,segregationandtransportationareverytedious.However,therearesomesuccesssstoriesinthissectortoothatmaypavethewayforotherstofollow.

Sources:http://web.unep.org/environmentassembly/plastic-recycling-underperforming-sector-ripe-remakehttps://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/Closing%20The%20Loop_Pune%2C%20India%20Case%20Study.pdf

Case study: Solid Waste Collection and Handling (SWaCH)SWaCHisaninnovativepartnershipwithinformalworkerstorecoverplasticwasteinaninclusivecirculareconomyapproach.The3,000SWaCHwastepickersengageindoor-to-doorwastecollection,andthecollectedrecyclableitems,includingplasticwaste,aresegregatedmanuallybyonthepremisesofawastegenerator,insortingsheds,intheopen.Thewastepickershaveacrucialroleinplasticrecyclingbecausethecollectionandsegregationofplasticwastearemainlycarriedoutbythem.

What worked well

Thewastepickerscancollectandsegregatevariousplastictypesfromdifferentsources,suchashouseholds,slums,thecommercialsector,streetsandlandfills,whichconventionalwastecollectionsystemsfinditdifficulttocaterto.Forexample,theSWaCHwastepickerscollect30,000tonnesofplasticwasteperyear,ofwhich15,000tonnesissegregatedandsenttorecycling.TheSWaCHwastepickersreceiveincomefromthepaymentoftheuserfeefromhouseholdsandfromtherecyclablematerialstheyselltoitinerantbuyersandscrapshops.

Impact

Anestimated30,000tonnesofplasticmaterialisannuallycollectedandsentforrecyclingwiththehelpoftheinformalwasteeconomy,diverting52%oftheplasticwasteinPunefromlandfills.TheSWaCHwastepickerssaveuptoINR160million(US$2million)yearlyduetotheircollectionanddiversionofrecyclableplasticwaste.Theinformaleconomy-basedmunicipalsolidwastemanagementmodelprotectstheenvironmentandcontributestoacirculareconomybypromotingtherecyclingofplasticwasteandreturningvaluablematerialstolocalandglobalrecyclingindustriesandproducers.


Artificial intelligence (AI)

Thecurrentwastemanagementsystemsareunabletoefficientlydealwiththetonnesofgarbagegeneratedeveryday.Automatingtheprocessesofgarbagesortinganddisposal,byswitchingtoAIforsmartrecyclingandwastemanagement,isexpectedtobringinbetterdisposalmethodstorecyclesustainably.ThereareopportunitiesforAIandroboticstoimproveprocessesthroughvariousstages,fromgarbagecollectiontotransportation,tosortingandrecycling.

Intelligent bins

AnothersolutionisasmartbinwithIoTsensorswhichcanmeasurethewastelevelsofthebin.Thedataisthensenttothecentralwastedisposalsystem,whichcancategorisethekindofgarbageandappropriatedisposalmethods.TheAIprogrammeprovidesanalyticsandinsightsintothetypeofwastetobecollectedwhichcanbeintegratedwithfleetmanagementsolutions.AIhelpsmunicipalitiesmakedata-drivendecisionstooptimisewastecollectiontimes,frequenciesandroutes.

Deep learning-driven sorting

Anothersolutionutilisesroboticsanddeeplearningtosortoutthetrash.Thegarbageontheconveyorbeltattheplantisscannedwithcamerasandanalysedbydeep-learningalgorithmstoidentifytrashbasedonitstype.Aroboticarmthenpullsitemsoffthebeltasrequiredforsorting.Themodeliscontinuallyself-improving.TheserobotsarealreadyinuseatgarbagedumpsandplantsinEuropeandtheUnitedStates.

Reverse vending and deposit and return scheme

Areversevendingmachineisonewherepeoplecanreturnemptybeveragecontainerslikebottlesandcansforrecycling.Whatmakesita‘reverse’vendingmachineisthatinsteadoftheuserputtinginmoneyandgettingoutaproduct,theuserputsinaproductinandreceivesmoneyorcouponswithmonetaryvalue.

Reversevendingsystemsautomatetheprocessofcollecting,sortingandhandlingthereturnofuseddrinkcontainers.Refillablecontainersarereturnedtothebottleorbeverageproducerforcleaningandrefilling.Non-refillablecontainersaretakentoaprocessingfacilitywheretheyarewashed,shreddedandusedfortheproductionofnewcontainers.

InIndia,manycitieslikeDelhiandBhopalhaveinstalledthesemachinesinpublicplaces.

Sources:https://www.allerin.com/blog/4-ways-ai-can-revolutionize-waste-management;https://www.triconinfotech.com/blog/2019/06/13/ai-in-waste-management-recycling-industries/http://businessfortnight.com/chief-minister-of-madhya-pradesh-inaugurates-plastic-waste-recycling-project-in-bhopal/https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/delhi-plastic-bottle-recycling-reverse-vending-machine-22324/SwachhBharatMission,MinistryofhousingandurbanaffairsSource

iii. Dealing with multi-layered plastics wasteMulti-layeredplasticpackagingispackagingwithatleastonelayerofplasticasthemainingredientincombinationwithoneormorelayersofmaterialssuchaspaper,paperboard,polymericmaterials,metalisedlayersoraluminiumfoil,eitherintheformofalaminateorco-extrudedstructure.

a) Styrofoam

Foamedplasticsarecommonbutoftenerroneouslyreferredtobythebrandname‘Styrofoam’.Thismaterialiswidelyusedtomakefoodcontainersasitisrigid,lightweight,andhasgoodinsulationproperties.Plasticwithrecyclingsymbolof#6,StyrofoamisthetrademarkednameofExpandedPolystyrene(EPS).Thismaterialisimpossibletodegradewithtimeandfurthercausestroubleforlandfills.

Solution: ArecyclingsolutionforStyrofoamistotakefoampackagingandcompressit,reducingthebulksomewhat.Anothermethodistouselimonene.LimonenedissolvesandconcentratesEPSandcanitselfbereused.ThechemicalcausestheEPSfoamtomeltwithoutheat,reducingitto5%ofitsoriginalsize.ThermalcompactionusesheattoreducechoppedEPStoaconcentratedbrickthatiseasiertoship.Whenburntinmunicipalincinerators,polystyreneyieldsnothingbutcarbondioxideandwatervapour.Itisagoodfuelforwaste-to-energyplantsthatcapturetheheatandtransformitforusefulpurposes.

b) Tetra Pak

TetraPaksarecartonsusedforpackagingmilk,juiceandvariousotherliquids.Thesecontainersprotectthecontentsfromgettingcontaminatedwithbacteriaandothermicrobes,givingtheproductashelflifeofmonths.Thesecartonshavesixlayersofpackaging,includingdifferentlayersofplasticandaluminiuminadditiontorawpaper.Therefore,theycannotberecycledas‘normal’paperwastebutneedtogotospecialrecyclingunitsforseparationofthedifferentmaterialsor,ifnotrecycled,canendupinlandfills.

Solution:Tertiaryrecyclingisthemostpreferredoptionformulti-layeredpackagingsinceseparatingtheindividuallayersisdifficultandcostly.Pyrolysisandgasificationaretwokeytechnologiescurrentlyusedfortertiaryrecyclingofmulti-layeredpackagingwaste.Iftertiaryrecyclingisnotpossible,quaternaryrecyclingmaybeconsidered;itistheprocessofrecoveringenergyfromwasteplasticsbyincineration.


Streamlining plastic lifecycle managementWhiletalkingaboutplasticanditsmanagement,itiscrucialtounderstandthatallthefivestagesdiscussedhavebeenpartiallypartoftheexistingsysteminsomeformortheother.Themaindeterrenttotheeffectivemanagementofplastichasbeenthelackofusingthesestagessystematicallyandholistically,whichcanbeachievedonlythroughgreaterinclusivenessandbettercollaborations.

Theplasticindustryhasgrownexponentiallyinthelast15yearsandisestimatedtofollowasimilartrajectoryinthecomingfewyears.Withrisingconcernsabouttheimpactofplastic,enterprisesusingplasticshaverealisedtheneedforaddingrecyclingaspartoftheirvaluechain.Thisapproachisvitalfortheseenterprisestobecomeenvironment-friendlyandatthesametimegivetheplasticrecyclingsectoraplatformtodevelopintoabalancedandrobustindustryinitself,justlikethepaper-recyclingindustry.Furthermore,plasticrecyclinghastobecomemoreconsumer-friendlytoosothat,ratherthanconsumersortingtheirtrash,theprocessistakencareofforthem.

Anothercriticalaspectofeffectiveplasticmanagementishavinganall-inclusiveapproachtodecision-makingandmovingtowardsmulti-stakeholderpartnerships.Indoreisanexcellentexampleinthisregard;itincludedthecircularityapproachindealingwithgovernmentpolicies,multi-stakeholderinitiativesandtacklingplasticbeyondend-of-lifethroughplastictofuel.Furthermore,itiscrucialtonotethatplasticcircularityincludesnotjustthewastetowealthinitiativesforplasticbutalsothereformoftheinformalsectorofplasticwastemanagementwherein‘wastepickers’areadequatelysupportedandmentoredtobecome‘wastemanagers’,therebygeneratingemployment,improvinglocalindustrialcompetitiveness,reducingpovertyanddecreasingmunicipalspending.


Plasticultureislinkedtoriskingsoilfertilityandbeinganentrypointforpotentialcarcinogenstoenterthefoodchainthroughcrops.

Incinerationandopenburningofplasticreleasesalargenumberoftoxins,causingairpollution.

Usingorganicmulch,biodegradablematerialornaturalmaterialslikebiopolymerinsteadofplastic.

Awarenessaboutbetterwaystodisposeofplasticandharmfuleffectsofburningit.

ChallengesSDG Solutions

Therehasbeenasharpincreaseintheconcentrationofmicroplasticsfoundinthewatersupply.83%oftapwaterand93%ofbottledwaterbrandshavemicroplasticpresent.

Takingactionstoavoidplasticenteringwaterbodies.Usingnon-syntheticclothestopreventthereleaseofmicroplasticintowastewateruponwashing.Treatmentofwastewaterformicroplastics.

99%ofplasticismanufacturedfrompetroleumandnaturalgaswhichleadstoemissionofgreenhousegases.

Usingalternativestoreducerelianceonplastics.Convertingplasticsintosustainablefuelsthrough‘wastetoenergy’or‘plastictofuel’.

Bansonplastichavesevereramificationsontheglobalplasticindustry,joblossesbeingthemostsignificantone.

Useoffeasiblealternativesopensspacefornewemploymentopportunitiesandeconomicgrowthoftherespectivesector.

Plasticwastefromaroundtheworldismostlycateredbylow-incomecountriesthroughtheinformalsector.

Findingwastemanagementwayswithinthecountryforemploymentopportunities.

Thenon-decomposingnatureofplasticresultsinblockingwaterwaysandexacerbatingnaturaldisasters.Also,itclogssewersleadingtoabreedinggroundformosquitosandpests.

Convertingwasteplastictoeco-bricksforconstructionandmixingitwithbitumeninbuildingroads.

6. Plastic lifecycle management and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Sources:Transformingourworld:The2030agendaforsustainabledevelopment,https://wasteaid.org/waste-sustainable-development-goals/,https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/environment/plastics-in-agriculture-entry-point-for-carcinogens-to-food-chain-60778,https://www.no-burn.org/burning-plastic-incineration-causes-air-pollution-dioxin-emissions-cost-overruns/,https://www.earthday.org/2018/03/23/the-invisible-plastic-particles-in-our-drinking-water/,https://www.unenvironment.org/interactive/beat-plastic-pollution/


Challenges Solutions

Rapidurbanisationhasledtoatremendousincreaseinconsumptionandproductionandthus,thesolidwastegeneration.Plasticaccountsfor5.8%ofthetotalsolidwaste,positioningitselfthirdafterfood(38.3%)andpaper/cardboard(20.60%).

Embeddingsustainabilityofresourcesthroughoutthesupplychain,involvingallstakeholders-fromthesourceoftherawmaterialtothefinalconsumer.Educatingconsumersonsustainableconsumptionlifestyle,providingthemwithadequateinformationthroughstandardsandlabelsandengaginginsustainablepublicprocurement,amongothers.

Plasticcontributestogreenhousegasemissionateverystageofitslifecycle.By2050,plasticwillberesponsibleforupto13%ofthetotalcarbonbudgetequivalentto615coal-firedpowerplant.

Transitioningtoazero-carbonenergysystemhasthepotentialtoreduceemissionsfromplasticto51%.

12.7milliontonnesofplasticwasteiswashedintotheseaeveryyear,and51trillionmicroplasticsarealreadyinthesea.Consumptionofplasticbymarinecreaturesharmstheirhealth.

Cleaningoceanstogetridoftheplasticwasteandensuring,throughmassawareness,thatplasticdoesnotendupinwaterbodies.

Plastictoxinsindumpsseepintothegroundwaterandcontaminateit.Thewindcarrieslitteredplasticwastewithit,leadingtopollutionevenatplacesdevoidofhumansettlementslikeforests.Furthermore,animalsareatriskofcomingintocontactwiththiswasteandgettingintoxicated.

Adoptionofplasticlifecyclemanagementpracticesthatcatertoproducers,aswellasconsumers.Conductingregularawarenessdrivesaswellascleanlinessdrivesbyinvolvingallstakeholders.

Wastemanagementsectorcontinuestobemajorlyinformalinhighestplasticwasteproducingcountriesduetolackofregulationsorweakenforcement.Industriesconsumingplasticdonotaccountforitsend-of-lifeuseanditsimpactonthesurroundingsocietyandecology.

Oceanshavebecomeacommongroundforcountriestodumpplasticwaste.Mismanagementbymajorplasticwastegeneratingnationsandindustrieshasputtheglobalecologyatrisk.

Forenterprisesusing/producingplasticmaterials,seekinglicence-to-operatefromthesurroundingcommunitieswillbuildinclusiveness.Formalisingtheinformalwastemanagementsectorthroughbetterinfrastructureandall-inclusivepartnerships.

Countriesandcompaniescuttingacrosssectorsshouldbuildpartnershipsthatsupportplastic-freeinitiativesandworkoninnovationsforeffectiveplasticlifecyclemanagement.

SDG

Sources:https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/15/single-use-plastics-a-serious-climate-change-hazard-study-warns,https://news.un.org/en/story/2017/02/552052-turn-tide-plastic-urges-un-microplastics-seas-now-outnumber-stars-our-galaxy,https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/how-a-kerala-fisherfolk-removed-25-tonnes-of-plastic-waste-from-the-sea-in-just-ten-months-347364.html,https://www.huffpost.com/entry/in-the-developing-world-waste-can-be-a-vital-resource_b_8147028,https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=790,https://www.plasticstoday.com/content/economic-effect-plastic-bag-bans/35843076718443,https://theconversation.com/plastic-warms-the-planet-twice-as-much-as-aviation-heres-how-to-make-it-climate-friendly-116376,https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/pollution/plastic-warms-the-planet-twice-as-much-as-aviation-here-s-how-to-make-it-climate-friendly-64674


Way forward


Theunceasingriseinplasticwastegloballyhasbroughtattentiontothealarmingrateatwhichtheproductionanduseofplasticareincreasing.Managingthisproportionofplasticusingtheabovelifecycleapproachrequiresthoroughaccountingoftheplasticused,itsenvironmentaleffectsandthestakeholdersassociatedinitslifecycle.Theseaspectscanbeassessedusingcomprehensivemethodologies,whichcanbeappliedtoindividuals,companies,countriesorregions.

Plastic footprintingToprovideaclearpictureoftheimpactofandopportunitiesrelatedtoplasticusage,andtomakeinformeddecisions,reliablemetricsarenecessary.Aplasticfootprintisonesuchmetricthatmainlyincludesthreedimensions:

1. Thequantityofplasticusedinasystem2. Thequantityofplasticemittedintotheenvironment

duringproduction,transport,useorend-of-lifeofaplasticproduct

3. Theimpact,directlyorindirectlygeneratedbythepollutantsemitted(ortheleakedplastic)onhumanhealthortheenvironment.

Plasticfootprintingcanbeclassifiedintothreemaincategories:

1. Business,orproduct-levelfootprint,intendedtobeusedbytheprivatesector

2. National,orregional-levelfootprint,intendedtobeusedbythepublicsector

3. Individual-levelfootprint,intendedtobeusedbycitizensandconsumers

Forexample,atanindividuallevel,everytimesomeonechoosesasingle-useplasticsuchasaplasticstrawinsteadofareusableitemsuchasastainlesssteelstraw,thatpersonaddstohisorherplasticfootprint.Themoreplasticsused,thebiggertheplasticfootprint.Furthermore,plasticfootprintactsasaprecursortoplasticneutrality.

Being plastic neutral means havinganet-zeroplasticfootprintbybalancingameasuredamountofplasticproducedwithanequivalentamountthatitisoffseteitherbyrecyclingorthroughbuyingofplasticcreditstomakeupthedifference.

TherearegrocerystoresinGoa,ChennaiandBengaluruwhichfunctionwithzero-plastic.Recently,Hyderabadgotitsfirstzero-wastegrocerystorewhichencouragesitscustomerstobringtheirnon-plasticpackaging.Ifacustomerisnotcarryingabag,thestorepacksalltheessentialsinpapercovers,clothbagsandcontainers.

Lifecycle assessment (LCA)LCAisamethodologyofcompilationandevaluationoftheinputs,outputsandpotentialenvironmentalimpactofaproductsystemthroughoutitslifecycle,thatis,fromtheextractionofnaturalresourcestothefinaldisposal.Itistypicallyappliedtoaspecificproductorcompanyandcontainstwocomponents:

i. Thedirectcomponentaccountsformaterialconsumption,pollutantemissionsandimpactscreatedbythecompanyorproductitself,eg,whenpackagingisdroppedaslitter.

ii. Theindirectcomponentaccountsforadditionalactivitiesrelatedtothecompanyorproductatotherstagesofitslifecyclecontrolledbythirdparties,eg,whenplasticpelletsusedforonecomponentofagivenplasticproductarelostbyasub-contractor.

1. Plastic accounting

Sources:InternationalUnionForConservationofNature(IUCN)http://www.taza.co/plastic-footprint-and-carbon-footprint/ThePlasticsDivisionoftheAmericanChemistryCouncil(ACC)


Extended producer responsibility (EPR)EPRisastrategyinwhichthemanufacturerisresponsiblefortheproperdisposaloftheproductstheysell.Intendedtoreducewasteandencourageenvironmentalprocedures,thisstrategyshiftstheresponsibilityofdisposalbacktothemanufacturer.EPRisfurtherdividedintothreetypes:

a. Buyback depository Mechanism (deposit-refund scheme):ItisasystemmandatedbythemanufacturerstobuybackthePETbottlestoensurerecycling.Underthisscheme,customerswillgetbackadepositpaidtoaretaileronhandingPETbottlesormilkpouchesbacktothestore.Therearemorethan40countriesallovertheworldwhohaveadoptedthismechanism.Mumbaiisalsooneofthecitiestohaveadoptedthissystem.Consumersandmanufacturersarebothequallyresponsibleforthismechanismtoattainsuccess.

b. Corpus fund:Itisafundinitiatedbyindustriestopoolinacorpusforcreatinginfrastructureandprogrammesrelatingtosocio-economicandecologicaldevelopment.Forexample,theplasticmanufacturingindustryhasinitiatedafundwithaninitialcorpusof1millionwhichfocusesonthelow-valuewastebeingclearedfromthestreetsthroughrecycling.

c. Plastic credit: Itisacreditsystemwhereproducersarenotrequiredtomanagetheirplasticwastebutinplacetakeanequivalentamountofplastictoberecoveredandrecycledtomeetthegivenresponsibility.

ExtendedproducerresponsibilitywasimplementedinIndia,buttheawarenesslevelatboththeconsumerandmanufacturerendhasnotbeenprevalent.

63countrieshaveextendedproducerresponsibility(EPR)mandatesforsingle-useplastic.ThesecountrieswithEPRrepresentabout33%ofthe192countries.EuropehasthemostactiveuptakeofEPRasaregulatorymeasurewith38countries,followedbyninecountriesintheAsiaPacificregion,ninecountriesinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean,andsevencountriesinAfrica.

EPRasapolicyapproachconsistsofseveralelementswhichwerefoundbyresearchersinthecountriesassessed.Someexamplesinclude:

• Responsibilityforaddressingenvironmentalimpact:InAustralia,EPRispartoflifecyclemanagementforarangeofproductsandcanconsistofthepotentialecologicaleffectsofaproductinallstagesofproduction,distribution,use,collection,re-use,recycling,reprocessinganddisposalofthatproduct.

• Recoveryandrecyclingofbags:InMali,theproduceranddistributorwhomarketsorusesinitsactivity’splasticorothernon-biodegradablepackagingareobligedtoproceedtorecoveryofitsplasticandpackagingusedforrecycling.

• Responsibilityforreturnandtradecontrol:Gambiarequiresimporterstoreturnplasticorrecycleitatowncosts,andmanufacturerstoberesponsibleforrecycling.

Producer responsibility organisation (PRO)APROisaprofessionalorganisationthathelpsproducers/brandownersmeettheirEPRtargetsthroughvariousprocessingtechnologiesforplasticwasteincludingendoflifeapplicationslikewastetoenergy,wastetofuel,wastetoroadandwastetocementkiln.

InIndia,theconceptofPROisrecognisedintwosectors,namely,plasticwastemanagementande-wastemanagement.PRO-basedEPRschemesforpackagingtypicallyapplyvariablecostsbasedonthetypeofpackagingmaterialplacedonthemarketlikeglass,paper/card,metals,plastic.

Costsforplasticandcompositepackagingmaterialstendtobesignificantlyhigherthancostsforotherpackagingmaterials.Forreference,inItaly,plasticischargedatEUR188pertonne,comparedwithEUR45foraluminium,EUR16forglass,EUR13forsteelandEUR4forpaper/card.

Sources:http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/extended-producer-responsibility.htmlhttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/indias-first-plastic-buyback-scheme-to-come-into-force-on-wednesday/articleshow/64911045.cmsLegalLimitsOnSingleUsePlasticsAndMicroplasts:AGlobalReviewofNationalLawsandRegulations(UNEnvironment)OECD:PolicyApproachestoIncentiviseSustainablePlasticDesign

2. Plastic responsibility


Sources:https://wasteaid.org/waste-sustainable-development-goals/,https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/environment/plastics-in-agriculture-entry-point-for-carcinogens-to-food-chain-60778,https://www.no-burn.org/burning-plastic-incineration-causes-air-pollution-dioxin-emissions-cost-overruns/,https://www.earthday.org/2018/03/23/the-invisible-plastic-particles-in-our-drinking-water/,https://www.unenvironment.org/interactive/beat-plastic-pollution/,https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/pollution/plastic-warms-the-planet-twice-as-much-as-aviation-here-s-how-to-make-it-climate-friendly-64674,https://www.plasticstoday.com/content/economic-effect-plastic-bag-bans/35843076718443,https://theconversation.com/plastic-warms-the-planet-twice-as-much-as-aviation-heres-how-to-make-it-climate-friendly-116376,https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/15/single-use-plastics-a-serious-climate-change-hazard-study-warns,https://news.un.org/en/story/2017/02/552052-turn-tide-plastic-urges-un-microplastics-seas-now-outnumber-stars-our-galaxy,https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/how-a-kerala-fisherfolk-removed-25-tonnes-of-plastic-waste-from-the-sea-in-just-ten-months-347364.html,https://www.huffpost.com/entry/in-the-developing-world-waste-can-be-a-vital-resource_b_8147028,https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=790

Circularityisasystemaimedateliminatingtheproductionofwasteandthecontinualuseofresourceswithminimallossofvalue.

Whilelookingintothelifecycleofplastic,theapproachofattainingcircularityrevolvesaroundthecradle-to-cradle(C2C)principle.Itistheprocessofreformingthevaluechainofproductsandservicestotransformthelinearcradle-to-grave(C2G)lifecycleintoaclosed-loopecosystem.Abriefaccountofthedifferencewithrespecttoplasticisgivenbelow:

3. Plastic circularity

Itisamodelthatmimicsnaturalsystemswhereinend-of-lifeplasticisbrokendownandisre-enteredintothevaluechainasrawmaterial.

Thematerialusedcanberecycledasmanytimesandremainintheclosed-loopsystem.

Cyclicalprocess

Noamountofwasteisgenerated.

Recyclabilitystartsduringthedesignphaseoftheproductitself.

Productionusesrenewableenergy.

Thequalityoftheplasticuseddoesnotdegrade;hence,thereisnolossinvalue.

Thereislowtonocarbonfootprint.

DesigningrequireshighinitialinvestmentandR&D.

Theprocessiscost-efficientoncescaled.

Itisthetraditionalmodelofusingplasticasamake-use-disposeproduct.

Theproductismadefromamixtureofmaterialsthatarenotusuallyeco-friendlywhendisposedof.

Linearprocess

Itresultsinsignificantwastegeneration.

Recyclabilitystartsaftertheproduct’send-of-use.

Productionusesconventionalsourcesofenergy.

Thequalityofproductsignificantlydecreasesandsodoesitsvalue.

Thecarbonfootprintishigh.

DesigningrequiresrelativelylowinvestmentandR&D.

CostefficiencyisinitiallyhigherthanintheC2Cprocess.

Cradle-to-cradleCradle-to-grave


IMPACT2030 With plastic’s impact covering 13 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it becomes crucial to inculcate its lifecycle management practices into the targets set for achieving these goals. Additionally, governments, companies and organisations should work together to create a holistic result, which is the case with IMPACT2030.

IMPACT2030 is a philanthropic collaboration between companies, employees and NPOs around the world all aligned towards the SDGs and advancing them through human capital investments. It is a community of 75 partner companies whose purpose is to align companies and their employee volunteer efforts with the Global Goals, advance the practice of employee volunteering, and create real and sustainable change.

CSR corpus for plastic lifecycle managementPlastic at present is omnipresent in its function and calls upon the need for a multi-pronged approach in managing it. The lifecycle management of plastic requires not only a systemic execution but also cross-sector and multi-stakeholder partnerships. The CSR law in India has been a catalyst for socio-economic and ecological development of the nation and thus can be instrumental in developing these collaborations through inclusiveness.

The CSR law mandates companies in the CSR bracket to spend 2% of their average net profits in the social and environmental sector, thus helping in nation-building by being responsible businesses. CSR gives opportunities for companies working in different industries but sharing a common cause to pool in-part or whole of their CSR fund.

Combining funds can be a game-changer for the plastic industry in addressing the plastic risk and creating infrastructure for research and development in various stages of plastic’s lifecycle.

Global treaty on plasticThe Montreal Protocol to save the ozone layer depletion turned 30 in 2019 and has been termed as a landmark environmental success. Today, it serves as a model for addressing other international problems facing the earth and the life on it, one of which is plastic mismanagement.

The UN Environment Assembly has recognised plastic pollution as a “rapidly increasing serious issue of global concern that needs an urgent global response.” Plastic pollution is a matter of international concern and cannot be solved solely within national borders or regions. Thus, a global, legally binding treaty with clear targets and standards is required for plastic lifecycle management at the international stage, and governments and businesses should make a push for it at all available platforms.


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Acknowledgements

Editorial review Design

TanmayMathur GouravKalra

For media queries, please contact:

Spriha Jayati E:[email protected]:+919323744249

Authors

Utkarsh SinghRebecca MathewNilay KumarMamta Swarnakar

For solutions on effective plastic lifecycle management, get in touch with:

Vikesh MehtaE:[email protected]


Notes


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