Why does India report only half the plastic waste it generates every year?

The CPCB has approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to enforce the implementation of plastic waste management rules by non-compliant states.

Only 14 of India’s 35 regional pollution boards filed information on plastic waste generation in 2017-18, according to the latest report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Thus, the CPCB estimate of plastic waste generated in India in 2017-18--660,787.85 tonnes, enough to fill 66,079 trucks at 10 tonnes a truck--does not reflect the situation in more than 60% of India’s states and union territories.

In 2016-17 too, CPCB received these figures from only 25 regional pollution boards. The total plastic waste generation figure for that year was estimated at 1.6 million tonnes, or 160,000 truckfulls.

The CPCB has approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to enforce the implementation of plastic waste management rules by non-compliant states. On March 12, 2019, the NGT ordered all of them to ensure that reports are furnished to the CPCB by April 30, 2019. Failure is to be punished with a penalty of Rs 1 crore per month, to be paid to the CPCB, the NGT said.

India consumes an estimated 16.5 million tonnes, about 1.6 million truckfulls, of plastic annually, as per this June 2018 report in Down to Earth that cites data provided by PlastIndia Foundation, a conglomeration of associations and institutions that deal in plastic. Of this, 43% is plastic manufactured for single-use packaging material that will mostly find its way into garbage bins, the report said. In all, 80% of total plastic produced in India is discarded.

It mostly ends up choking landfills, drains and rivers and flows into the sea where it is ingested by marine animals. It leaches into soil and water, contaminating the natural environment with poisonous dioxins.

At least 40% of the plastic waste generated every day--25,940 tonnes or about 2,594 truckloads, as per this 2015 CPCB study for the year 2011-12--goes uncollected. Thin plastic bags and films do not have enough value in the recycling market--they fetch no more than Rs 4 a kg--to be collected by ragpickers.

Accurate data on plastic waste generation, collection and disposal are integral to how a country formulates its policy on waste management. India needs these figures even more since it has stated its resolve to phase out single-use plastic at the 2019 United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and also banned the import of plastic waste into the country.

Business Standard

Slight improvement in Delhi's air but don't heave a sigh of relief just yet

The Environment Ministry is likely to come out with its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) next month, which proposes multiple strategies to combat air pollution.

The air quality in Delhi and neighbouring areas has slightly improved on Friday after it plummeted to 'severe' level on Tuesday,

The overall air quality index of Delhi was recorded at 375 on Friday morning which falls in the 'very poor' category, according to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

ALSO READ: Delhi air pollution: Civic bodies slap Rs 3 mn fine for violations

In Delhi, the overall PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) was recorded at 217 against the safe limit of 60. The PM2.5 also called "fine particulates," can be a matter of more serious health concern than PM10.

The PM10 level (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) in Delhi stood at 368 against the safe limit of 100, as per SAFAR.

An AQI of 0-100 is considered 'Good+Satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe', as per SAFAR.

In NCR, barring Noida and Gurugram, there was a marginal improvement in PM2.5 and PM10 levels

The marginal improvement came after the environment panel imposed curbs on some industries amid forecasts that pollution may worsen.

The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), which is monitoring the pollution levels, announced restrictions on construction activities, hot mix plants, coal and biomass-based industries, brick kilns and stone crushers in the NCR.

It added that it could also restrict the movement of private vehicles and entry of trucks to Delhi, if needed.

The state pollution control bodies have been directed to initiate criminal prosecution against violators.

Meanwhile, Delhi civic bodies have slapped fines to the tune of Rs 3 million for pollution violations.

According to reports, the Environment Ministry is likely to come out with its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) next month, which proposes multiple strategies to combat air pollution.

The EPCA has urged people to reduce the use of private vehicles and completely stop plying diesel vehicles during this period.

Business Standard