Increasing use of plastics by the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector among others is posing huge environmental hazards with more than 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste being generated every day. More alarmingly, 40 per cent of this plastic waste remains uncollected and littered in the environment, the Government informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.
In a written response to a question in the Lower House, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar also talked about a study conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 60 major cities of India, which estimated that around 4,059 tonnes per day of plastic waste is generated from these cities
The Minister said the demand of plastic has increased significantly due its increased use in the FMCG sector, which has indirectly resulted into the challenge of plastic waste management.
"With continued economic development, the demand for consumer goods is increasing. Among the various factors driving this growth, one of the most significant factor is increasing use of plastics by FMCG sector.
"Due to its durability, strength, inert behaviour and low cost, plastic emerged as one of the most reliable packaging material for the industries. As an outcome, the increase in demand for plastic has indirectly resulted into the challenge of plastic waste management," Javadekar said.
The Government aims to rid the country of single use plastic by 2022 as part of the Clean India (Swachh Bharat) part two campaign. Replying to another question on developing green alternatives to plastic, the Minister said due to its cheap cost, finding an alternative was a "challenging task".
"Due to various positive factors including cheap cost associated with plastic packaging, finding an ecologically sustainable and green alternative to plastic is a challenging task.
It is estimated that around 25,940 tonnes/day of plastic waste is generated in India. There are 4,773 registered plastic manufacturing/ Multi-Layer Plastic manufacturing / recycling units in the country.
"Approximately 15,384 tonnes/day, which is 60 per cent of the total plastic waste is collected and recycled. This recycled plastic is used is manufacturing of several products. The remaining 10,556 tonnes/day of the plastic waste, which is estimated to be approximately 40 per cent of plastic waste generation, remains uncollected and littered in the environment," Javadekar said.
The Minister informed that an expert group has been constituted by Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) with respect to research and development for compostable or biodegradable technology on plastic.