• India won global acclaim for its “Beat Plastic Pollution” resolve declared on World Environment Day in 2018.
• But going forward, a plan is needed for plastic waste in packaging and manufacturing.

What is the “Beat Plastic Pollution” resolve?

• “Beat Plastic Pollution” is the theme for World Environment Day, 2018.
• It is a call to action for all to come together to combat one of the great environmental challenges of the time.
• The theme calls for making changes in everyday lives to reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution.
• Under the “Beat Plastic Pollution” resolve, India pledged to eliminate single-use plastic by 2022.

What are the developments in this regard?

• So far, 22 States and Union Territories have joined the fight, announcing a ban on single-use plastics including carry bags, cups, plates, cutlery, straws and thermocol products.
• In states where firm action has been taken, positive results have followed.
• In Bengaluru, the volume of plastic waste being collected has dropped from about 2 tonnes a day to less than 100 kg.
• Voluntary initiatives are having an impact in many States, as citizens reduce, reuse and sort their waste.

What are the drawbacks and measures needed?

• Packaging - Plastics play a major role in several industries, notably in the automotive, pharmaceutical, health care and construction sectors.
• But it is the fast moving consumer goods sector that uses large volumes of packaging, posing a higher order challenge.
• Waste plastic from packaging of everything from food, cosmetics and groceries to goods delivered by online platforms remains unaddressed.
• A paradigm shift in the manner in which waste is collected and handled by municipal authorities is essential to change this.
• Governments must start charging the producers for their waste, which will lead to recovery and recycling.
• Waste management - Plastic Waste Management Rules specifies that producers, importers and brand owners must adopt a collect-back system for the plastic they introduce into the environment.
• Although the rules were notified, not much has been done to take the process forward.
• State and local governments are unwilling to upgrade their waste management systems.
• Working on the system is crucial to even measure the true scale of packaging waste.
• Anomaly - Small producers of plastics face the ban, but more organised entities covered by the Extended Producer Responsibility clause continue with business as usual.
• At the very least, local bodies should consult manufacturers or importers to assess the problem.
• Cities and towns need competent municipal systems to achieve this.
• All these call for urgent government action and the same resolve here as in imposing the ban.