India’s Concerns :
- Date: June 5
- Organized by: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- Host Country: Republic of Korea
- Theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution”
- Established: 1972 (Stockholm Conference); First celebrated in 1973 with the theme “Only One Earth”
India’s Global Commitments :
- Basel Convention (2019): Advocated global consent before plastic waste export; opposed illegal dumping
- G20 Osaka Blue Ocean Vision (2019): Target – no plastic waste in oceans by 2050
- High Ambition Coalition for Nature & People (2021): Protect 30% of Earth’s land & seas by 2030
Key National Regulations :
Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021
Ban on:
- Identified single-use plastics (from July 2022)
- Plastic bags <120 microns (from Dec 2022)
- Non-woven bags <60 GSM (from Sep 2021)
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
- Enforced via centralized portal (2022)
- Over 50,000 producers and 2,800 processors registered
- 103 lakh tonnes of plastic waste processed (till Dec 2024)
- EPR ensures manufacturers take responsibility for post-use disposal
Safe Food Packaging: The FSSAI’s Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 set standards for safe food packaging materials, including plastics.
Technological & Economic Innovations
- Plastic-to-fuel conversion via CSIR, APChemi, IICT Hyderabad
- R&D Funding: ₹345 crore for 15 projects on bio-based alternatives
- 18 Centres of Excellence (DCPC) developing sustainable packaging
- Plastic Parks (10 approved): ₹40 crore per project, co-located processing zones for recycling, manufacturing
Swachh Bharat Mission & Local Innovations
- SBM Grameen Phase II: PWMUs in clusters, ₹16 lakh/block
- SBM Urban 2.0: 3-star city ranking, ₹1.4 lakh crore funding
- Kamalpur (Tripura): PBAT compostable bags replace plastics
- Trichy (Tamil Nadu): “Thunippai Thiruvizhai” campaign; 3 markets saved ~3,000 kg of plastic
Other Institutional Mechanisms
- India Plastic Challenge & National Expo: Promote alternatives
- CSIR-DDA Tech: Converts plastic to tiles, monomers, oil
- FSSAI Food Packaging Rules (2018): Ensures safe & regulated use of plastics in food industries
Conclusion :
India is aligning policy, technology, and community participation to lead a shift toward a circular, plastic-free economy. With strong international cooperation and local action, India demonstrates a model for global environmental leadership.
UPSC Relevance :
GS3 – Environment & Ecology
Plastic Pollution: Link to sustainable development, marine ecosystem degradation, and climate goals, Waste Management: Plastic Waste Management Rules (2021), EPR norms, and circular economy initiatives, Science & Tech: Role of CSIR, pyrolysis tech, bio-based polymers like PBAT, Green Economy: Plastic Parks, innovation funding, renewable energy from waste, Policy & Governance: Basel Convention, G20 Blue Ocean Vision, India’s multilateral climate diplomacy
GS2 – Governance & International Relations
International Conventions: Basel, Stockholm, and Rotterdam Conventions, Global Cooperation: India’s role in UNEP-led campaigns, High Ambition Coalition, Policy Implementation: Centre–State coordination in enforcing plastic bans
GS1 – SocietyPublic Participation
: Swachh Bharat Mission, local innovations (Kamalpur & Trichy), community-led efforts, Behavioural Change: Mission LiFE and responsible consumption patterns
Possible Mains Question
“India’s fight against plastic pollution is as much about policy and technology as it is about behavioural change.” Discuss.