Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Environmental conservation; Environmental pollution and degradation; Environmental Impact Assessment
Context
As an instrument to end plastic pollution, plastic treaty needs to ensure social justice and equity principles for the informal recycling worker.
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 8th June 2024
Remoulding the Global Plastics Treaty
As discussions advance towards an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, it is crucial to address how this treaty can support a fair transition for informal waste collectors and recyclers. These workers handle 85% of the recycled plastic, significantly contributing to waste management and environmental sustainability. However, they remain vulnerable and often overlooked in policy frameworks.
Data Point
- OECD Global Plastic Outlook:
- Global production of plastic waste reached 353 million tonnes in 2019, more than double since 2000.
- This amount is projected to triple by 2060.
- Only 9% of global plastic waste was recycled in 2019.
- 50% of the plastic waste was sent to landfills.
- 19% of the waste was Incinerated.
- 22% was disposed of in uncontrolled sites or dumps.
- Global production of plastic waste reached 353 million tonnes in 2019, more than double since 2000.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
- 85% recycling was done by informal recycling workers.
- UN-Habitat’s Waste Wise Cities Tool (WaCT):
- The informal sector accounts for 80% of municipal solid waste recovery in many cities.
Global Plastics Treaty
- In early 2021, 175 countries committed to developing a legally binding international treaty to tackle plastic pollution.
- The decision to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) was made during the fifth UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Global Plastics Treaty and a Just Transition: The International Alliance of Waste Pickers advocates for the formalization and integration of informal waste pickers in the treaty process, emphasizing their historical contributions and rights.
The Role of Informal Recycling Workers
- Collection and segregation: Informal recycling workers collect, sort, and recover recyclable materials, reducing municipal waste management costs and supporting environmental mandates.
- Sustainability: Their efforts help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and prevent plastic pollution by reducing the plastic content in landfills and dump sites.
- Economic Impact: Informal workers alleviate financial burdens on municipalities by promoting circular waste management solutions.
Challenges Faced by Informal Workers
- Lack of Recognition: Despite their significant role, informal workers are often neglected and face risks from privatization, waste-to-energy projects, and exclusion from public policy.
- Vulnerability: Increasing privatization and other policy interventions in plastic waste management threaten their livelihoods.
- Inadequate Involvement: Strategies to reduce plastic pollution often overlook the skills and knowledge of the informal sector, worsening their vulnerabilities.
India’s Perspective
- Approach: India promotes repair, reuse, refill, and recycling without eliminating plastics entirely, considering country-specific circumstances.
- Significance: As a key representative from the Global South, India’s voice is crucial in integrating informal waste pickers into the new legal framework.
- EPR Norms: There is also a need to rethink Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms to include informal workers effectively.
Key Considerations for the Global Plastics Treaty
- Inclusion: Incorporate perspectives and solutions from informal waste pickers at every stage of policy and law implementation.
- Social Justice: Ensure the treaty embodies principles of social justice and equity, protecting the livelihoods of informal workers.
- Clear Definitions: Clarify the terminology and definitions related to a just transition and the informal waste sector workforce.
Conclusion
As negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty approach the final INC-5 meeting, the focus should be on enabling a just transition for the 15 million informal workers who recover up to 58% of global recycled waste. By incorporating their perspectives and protecting their livelihoods, the treaty can promote a sustainable future while ensuring no one is left behind.
References
Related PYQ
What are the impediments in disposing 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 Civil Services Exam – Mains 2018]
Practice Question
How can the Global Plastics Treaty ensure a just transition for informal waste pickers? [250 words]