Syllabus
GS Paper III – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Context
Existing evidence indicates that current recycling methods fall short and sometimes even have adverse effects.
Plastic Recycling
Introduction
Plastic, a ubiquitous material in our modern world, has witnessed exponential growth in production over the past few decades. To date, more than 10 billion metric tonnes of plastic have been manufactured globally, with an astounding 18,300 per cent increase in production over the last 65 years. Presently, approximately 460 million metric tonnes of plastic are produced annually, and if left unchecked, this volume is projected to triple by 2050. Despite recycling being touted as a solution to plastic pollution, the reality remains stark: less than 9 per cent of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, while 12 per cent is incinerated or openly burned, leaving a staggering 79 per cent to accumulate in landfills or the natural environment.
Plastic Composition
- Plastic encompasses a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that rely on polymers as their primary component.
- These materials can be molded, extruded, or pressed into various solid shapes.
- Globally, over 10 billion metric tons of plastic have been produced, with an astonishing 18,300% increase in production over the past 65 years.
Plastic Recycling Process
- Need:
- The majority of plastic ends up burned, buried in landfills, or discarded in the environment.
- Most plastics are derived from petroleum products and are non-renewable, making decomposition challenging.
- Recycling aims to extend the lifespan of these materials and reduce the demand for new production.
- Mechanical Recycling: Involves processes like sorting, washing, drying, grinding, re-granulating, and compounding to recover plastic waste.
- Chemical Recycling: Breaks down plastic into its constituent parts, allowing the creation of new materials.
- Methods include gasification, pyrolysis, and hydrothermal treatment.
- Biological Recycling:
- Microorganisms or molecules transform plastic waste into usable resources such as compost or biogas.
- Composting: Organic substances degrade and stabilize in the presence of oxygen, resulting in compost.
- Anaerobic Degradation: Plastic breaks down completely in the absence of oxygen.
- Enzymatic Recycling: Specific enzymes produced by fungi and bacteria partially degrade plastic materials.
- For instance, the bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis secretes PETase, which breaks down PET plastic.
- By-Products: These processes yield heat, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and humus (as in composting).
- Recyclable Plastics:
- PET (polyethylene terephthalate) can be recycled into new bottles, containers, or other products like carpeting and clothing.
- HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is another commonly recyclable plastic.
Plastic Waste Status
- Total Plastic Waste:
- India: Approximately 7.4 million tonnes per year (2024).
- Worldwide: Approximately 220 million tonnes per year.
- Plastic Waste Recycled:
- India: Only 8% of its plastic waste.
- Global: Only around 9% of all plastic waste generated.
- Plastic Waste Mismanaged:
- India: 68.62% of generated plastic waste is mismanaged.
- Oman tops the list of countries with mismanaged plastic waste.
- Single-Use Plastic Ban:
- India: Banned 19 selected single-use plastic items from 2022.
- Bangladesh was the first country to ban thin plastic bags in 2002.
- Per Capita Plastic Waste:
- India (2021): 15 kilograms per person.
- Global average: Around 28 kg.
Benefits of plastic recycling
- Reduces Pollution: Recycling plastic helps decrease pollution resulting from plastic waste disposal in landfills and oceans.
- Cost Savings in Waste Management: By reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills, plastic recycling lowers waste management costs for municipalities.
- Energy Conservation: Recycling minimizes the need for virgin materials in new product production, conserving resources and saving energy.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Less plastic waste in landfills reduces its decomposition time (which can take hundreds or thousands of years), contributing to climate change mitigation.
- Promotes Circular Economy: Recycling plastics aligns with the concept of a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled, fostering sustainable development.
- Job Creation and Economic Boost: Recycling plastic generates employment opportunities within the recycling industry, positively impacting the economy.
Plastic Waste Trade
The practice began in 1988. Plastic waste trade involves the international exchange of waste for further treatment, disposal, or recycling.
- Global Export Statistics: Legally, over 250 million tonnes of plastic waste have been exported worldwide.
- Impact on Global South: The burden of plastic waste often shifts to the Global South, turning these regions into dumping grounds.
- Environmental Consequences: Open burning of plastic waste releases toxic pollutants, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities.
- Plastic Imports in India: In 2019, India imported around 121,000 metric tons of plastic, leading to subsequent bans due to environmental concerns.
- Impacts: Importing plastic waste results in severe environmental and health consequences, including polluted air and water, increased disease rates, and degraded living conditions.
- Environmental Injustice: Communities near recovery facilities and recycling plants, often underserved, face heightened health risks due to polluted air, soil, water, frequent fires, and exposure to hazardous materials.
Challenges in plastic recycling
- Lack of Research and Development (R&D):
- Manufacturers often need to blend recycled plastics with virgin plastic or toxic additives to restore useful properties.
- However, limited R&D hinders the optimization of recycled plastic performance.
- Lack of Standards and Regulations:
- The absence of uniform guidelines for plastic recycling leads to inconsistencies in practices and outcomes.
- Standardization is crucial to enhance efficiency and quality.
- Inefficient Waste Segregation:
- Mixed waste streams result in contamination, compromising the quality and value of recycled plastic.
- Proper waste sorting and segregation are essential for effective recycling.
- Lower Demand for Recycled Plastics:
- Concerns about recycled plastic quality and performance contribute to reduced demand compared to virgin plastics.
- Building confidence in recycled materials is essential to increase demand.
- Presence of Toxic Materials:
- Recycled plastics often contain a harmful mix of chemicals, rendering them unsuitable for certain applications.
- Particularly in food and beverage packaging, safety considerations are critical.
Way forward
- Reduce Plastic Production and Support Reuse-Based Solutions:
- Prioritize minimizing the creation of new plastic.
- Invest in sustainable alternatives and encourage reuse wherever possible.
- Restrict Single-Use Plastics:
- Incentivize reusable alternatives to single-use plastics.
- Implement policies to limit their usage.
- Promote Equitable Waste Management Practices:
- Ensure fair and effective waste management systems.
- Address disparities in waste handling across communities.
- Encourage Plastic-Free Habits at the Individual Level:
- Raise awareness about reducing plastic consumption.
- Educate individuals on practical steps to minimize plastic use.
- Leverage Indigenous Knowledge for Alternatives:
- Tap into traditional wisdom for sustainable materials.
- Explore local practices that offer plastic-free alternatives.
- Support Research and Innovation:
- Invest in research for eco-friendly materials.
- Foster innovation in plastic alternatives.
- Collaborate Across Sectors:
- Engage businesses, governments, and civil society.
- Work together to create a plastic-conscious society.
Conclusion
Addressing the plastic crisis requires a multifaceted approach. Prioritizing reduced plastic production, supporting sustainable alternatives, and restricting single-use plastics are critical steps. Equally important is promoting equitable waste management practices and encouraging individual plastic-free habits. Leveraging indigenous knowledge for alternatives and fostering research and innovation will drive meaningful change. Collaboration across sectors is essential to create a plastic-conscious society. By combining these efforts, we can mitigate the environmental impact of plastic and pave the way toward a more sustainable future.
Source: Down to Earth
Related PYQ
What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? [UPSC CSE – 2018 Mains]
Practice Question
Plastic pollution is the most widespread problem affecting the marine environment. Discuss. (250 Words)