A study in a publication called Nature, by Researchers at the University of Leeds in the UK found that India is responsible for 20% (one fifth) of the world's plastic pollution, thus listing India as the top contributor of Plastic Pollution globally. About 0.12 kilogrammes of trash is made by each person in India every day.

India burns about 5.8 million tonnes of plastic every year and throws another 3.5 million tonnes into the earth as waste, leading to a detrimental impact on the land, air, and water. India pollutes with 9.3 million tonnes of plastic every year, which is a lot more than other countries like Nigeria (3.5 million tonnes), Indonesia (3.4 million tonnes), and China (2.8 million tonnes), and it's more than what was thought before.

The researchers say that "managed" trash is plastic that is picked up by the municipality. This is either recycled or sent to landfills, Though the majority of it usually ends up itnot landfills. But "unmanaged" waste includes plastic that doesn't get picked up and ends up as litter that hurts ecosystems from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench or is burned in open fires. When these fires aren't controlled, they release dangerous gases and fine particles, like carbon monoxide, that can cause heart disease, lung diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders.

43% of the unmanaged plastic garbage, or 22.2 million tonnes, is debris that hasn't been burned. The other 29.9 million tonnes are burned, either at dumps or in people's own yards.

The study measured the amount of pollution released by 50,702 local governments by looking at five sources: uncollected waste, littering, collection systems, uncontrolled disposal, and rejects from sorting and reprocessing. The results show that in 2020, the world's plastic waste emissions hit 52.1 Mt. In the Global South, uncollected trash was the main source of pollution, while in the Global North, littering was the main source. Researchers believe that one million tonnes of macroplastic waste is capable of filling up 65 Taj Mahals.

According to researcher and study co-author Ed Cook, "previous studies highlighted China as a high plastic polluter because they used much older data on the country's waste management." Cook made this statement to The Hindu. But during the past 15 years, China has made significant progress in garbage management and is getting close to having a complete collection system. Remember that China has greater financial resources than India and is quickly moving towards being a high-income country.

The research also stated that India's indicated rate of generating trash, which is about 0.12 kilogrammes per person per day, is probably underestimated. According to the study, the numbers for trash collection are also too high. This difference could be because statistics from rural areas were left out, trash that wasn't picked up was burned outside, or trash that wasn't collected was recycled by people in the informal sector.

India’s plastic problem

The Reasons behind high rate of plastic pollution in India are :

1. Inadequate Waste Management Infrastructure: In 2019–20, data showed that 34.7 lakh TPA, or half of all the plastic waste in the country, was not recycled, polluting the air, water, and soil.

2. Data Gap: The Public Account Committee saw from CAG's 2022 audit results that many state pollution control boards (SPCBs) did not provide data on plastic trash production from 2016 to 2018, and the data that urban local bodies (ULBs) shared with SPCBs was not consistent.

3. Recycling Inefficiencies: The current system is primarily unregulated and not controlled, which results in low-quality recycled plastic and few environmental benefits.

Ed Cook, who has co-authored the study, says that the large population is another major reason for plastic pollution in India. “Firstly, there is a large and increasing population which is becoming more affluent. That means more and more waste, and the country has struggled to keep pace with providing waste management services. In a way this is a typical situation seen in other countries, but it is more pronounced in India because of the large number of people", he said.

India’s Efforts In Tackling Plastic Waste

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): The Indian government has put in place Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which means that companies that make plastic goods are now responsible for managing and getting rid of the waste that their products create.

• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022:  It doesn't allow the making, importing, stocking, distribution, sale, or use of plastic carry bags that are less than 120 microns thick.
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: The campaign is a national effort to clean up the country. As part of it, plastic trash is being picked up and thrown away.
• Plastic Parks: Plastic Parks are Industrial Zones in India that are designed to recycle and handle plastic waste.
• Beach clean-up drives: To get rid of plastic trash on beaches, the Indian government and a number of non-governmental organisations have set up drives to clean up beaches.

The study was very thorough, but it may still have understated emissions from some high-income countries because it didn't look at exports of plastic trash. The upcoming Global Plastics Treaty, which wants to make a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by 2024, needs these findings very much. These results give countries a new way to measure and deal with their plastic pollution. They will help make action plans for the future and make trash management better.

What's Next?

The findings of this study provide a crucial baseline for India and other countries to assess and address their plastic pollution challenges. The upcoming Global Plastics Treaty offers a unique opportunity to develop a legally binding international agreement on plastic pollution. India's participation in this process will be essential for shaping global efforts to combat this pressing environmental issue.

In conclusion, the crisis of plastic pollution in India demands urgent and comprehensive action. By implementing effective waste management strategies, promoting sustainable consumption, and fostering international cooperation, India can significantly reduce its plastic footprint and contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.