Reducing the Plastic Footprint: Best Practices in Waste Management and Disposal

ABSTRACT

The plastic waste and its disposal is a major trouble to the terrain, which results in pollution, global warming and colourful trouble to society. The application of plastic waste in bituminous composites enhances its parcels and also its strength. Some experimenters suggest that by 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight to overcome this problem we’ve to use plastic in construction of pavements and in other purposes. The waste plastic is tattered and carpeted over total and redounded blend is used for pavement construction. This won’t only strengthen the pavement and also increases its continuity. The plastic pavement can repel heavy business and are durable than normal flexible pavements. This innovative technology will be boon for Indian hot- sticky climate. It’s provident and eco-friendly.

INTRODUCTION

Plastic waste is defined as any plastic discarded after its intended use The conception of Plastic Wastage Management (henceforth PWM) aims to manage the plastic waste from its product to the final disposal which includes, collection, storehouse, transportation, reduction, exercise, recovery, recycling, composting or disposal of plastic waste in an environmentally safe manner. In India, Plastic Waste Management is done as per the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules 2016 and its emendations notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the powers conferred by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. A challenge that demands attending in India is plastic waste operation. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, India is one of the largest directors of plastic waste and faces considerable challenges in managing the generated waste efficiently. The plastic waste operation rules, 2024 end to address the operation issue through stricter regulations for biodegradables and microplastics. The plastic waste operation rules in India also serve as a foundational step through the preface of extended patron responsibility (EPR).

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT

The Act in question was established in 1986, with the goal of creating a robust protection framework. It grants the Central Government the authority to oversee all types of waste. Some of the laws that have emerged under this Act include the following: 

Section 7 – This section imposes a fundamental restriction against harming the environment, prohibiting everyone from emitting pollutants beyond the allowed limits. 

Section 9 – This section states that if any damage is inflicted on the environment due to pollutant emissions, the responsible individual must notify the appropriate authorities about the incident and simultaneously take steps to mitigate further damage. Section 9(3) incorporates the ‘Polluter Pays Principle’, which asserts that any costs incurred must be borne by the individual accountable for the environmental harm. Additionally, this Act encompasses provisions that lift the corporate veil. The Environmental Protection Rules, commonly referred to as the Environmental Protection Rules, 1986, empower the government to issue specific directives without altering the principal Act.

EVOLUTION OF PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES IN INDIA

India Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 – The crucial features concentrated on the obligatory isolation of waste at source, creation of exercise and recycling of plastic material and the ban on plastic bags below 50 microns. The rules also introduced the EPR policy.

 2018 Correction – The 2018 Plastic waste operation rules correction expanded EPR to include further stakeholders making them more responsible for plastic waste operation. The rules also strengthened civic original bodies (ULBs) part in enforcement.

 2021 Correction – The 2021 emendations in the Plastic Waste Management rules, India has introduced phased bans on single- use plastics. The rules also encouraged others to focus on biodegradable and compostable plastics.

 2024 Correction – These emendations in the plastic rules, India introduced the description of patron including both importers and brand possessors. The rules also stressed obligatory EPR compliance for directors to manage the lifecycle of their products. In addition to this, increased consistence conditions for plastic bags from 50 microns to 75 microns was added along with an emphasis on non-compliance through the preface of penalties.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: PLASTIC WASTE

The 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, in Composition 28A and 28H, has quested that every person shall have the right to have a good and healthy terrain. Indonesia has successfully replaced all the plastic tooth- skirmishes with the bamboo grounded. As a written constitution, the 1945 Constitution has been the loftiest legal authority in regulating programs on environmental protection. Although the number of plastic waste is lower than one- quarter of the total waste product, it does not signify that the number is insignificant. The use of plastics in ultramodern life is relatively significant, as this type of material is essential in moment’s period, where it favours speed and instant results. An illustration of plastic material that supports people’s exertion is plastic food packages. This type of food vessel has dominated the food assiduity in every part of the world. Some of the plastic products are labelled biodegradable. Decomposers can putrefy plastics with this marker. A result of a study has examined the capability of biodegradable plastic. Its findings reveal that this type of plastic remains in the soil for three times before it starts to putrefy. The consumption of plastics, similar as single- use plastic, in society, is tremendous that plastic waste can turn into a pile of scrap. Polymer, the material of plastic, is nonbiodegradable, meaning that it takes longer for plastic to putrefy. Both conditions lead to the accumulation of plastic waste. The pile of plastic waste contaminates the terrain in which it contributes to the loss of soil fertility. Some beast species have been proved consuming plastics, therefore damaging the ecosystem.

KEY PROVISIONS OF PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES:

The key provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules in India are as follows: 

Ban on plastic bags below 50 microns to discourage single- use plastics.

• obligatory isolation of waste at the source.
• Promotion of recovering and exercise of plastic accoutrements.
• MOEF has revised vittles’ relating to plastic packaging and goods made from compostable plastics or biodegradable plastics.
• The plastic rules in India have also added delineations of “importer”, “manufacturer” and “patron” are revised and more clarified.
• description of “dealer” has been added.
• Some vittles’ are fitted which enables “Urban Local Bodies ” and the Panchayat at quarter position to assess the plastic waste generated, plastic waste operation structure available for collection/ isolation/ processing and to measure to help sock, distribution, trade and operation of banned single use plastic particulars in their governance. The reports will also be needed to be transferred to the State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee by 30th June of each time.
• Revised Marking or labelling vittles’

 Each recycled plastic packaging or commodity will have to bear a marker ― reclaimed having (specify chance) of recycled plastic and a mark and shall conform to the Indian Standard named as ― Plastics — Recovery and Recycling of Plastics Waste — Guidelines, as amended from time to time.

Each plastic packaging or commodity made from compostable plastics will have to bear a marker ― compostable only under artificial composting and shall conform to the Indian Standard named as Specifications for Compostable Plastics.

Variations in the forms Form I, Form V, Form VI and Form VII.

THE ROLE OF BUSINESSES IN PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT

Businesses play a vital part in plastic waste operations. They play the part of primary directors and distributors of plastic products and are essential to making changes in their force chains to enhance plastic waste operations. The transition to sustainable packaging is one of the most effective ways for businesses to reduce plastic waste. In addition to this, businesses can also encourage consumers to adopt sustainability. Consumers also play a critical part in plastic waste management through the choices they make. Changes made by the consumer in their habits can make a significant impact over time. The proper disposal of waste in their respective bins and participation in beach and community cleanups can help remove the plastic waste from environment and help in having clean and breathable surroundings.

PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT IN OTHER COUNTRIES

1. Sweden A Recycling Powerhouse

 Sweden has always been the forerunner of environmental protection programs and the problem of plastic waste is no exception. Further than 95 of total Sweden’s plastic waste is either reclaimed or incinerated by their effective waste operation installation.

 Some of the measures include; single-use plastics regulation being strict in the country which has led to a reduction in waste. Sweden also puts a lot of emphasis on forestalment and information juggernauts to stop the citizens from throwing their waste erroneously and to drop the use and gamble culture on plastics.

 crucial changes

• Waste-to-energy systems that convert recyclable plastic into usable energy.
• Civil bans on single-use plastics, similar to straws and chopsticks.
• Promoting invention in biodegradable and compostable accoutrements.

2. Japan Precision in Waste Management

 Today, Japan has one of the most successful styles of waste sorting. Recyclable waste is grouped into plastics for recycling, plastics to be burnt and all other accoutrements for the effective operation of plastic waste.

 It also spends a lot on exploration in the product of biodegradable plastics which are common in use moment substantially in the packing sector. Elevations and education are another of Japan’s strategies for encouraging the right use of plastic products and their disposal.

 crucial changes

• Civil relinquishment of biodegradable plastics.
• Advanced waste separation and recycling systems.
• Commercial impulses to borrow sustainable manufacturing practices.

3. Costa Rica Aiming for Plastic-Free

 Today, Costa Rica has pledged to make their country one that doesn’t use any plastics by 2050. The country has espoused several measures toward the reduction of plastics, these include; the elimination of the use of single-use plastics and the promotion use of biodegradable accoutrements.

 This trouble is backed up by good government programs and community groups and associations in Costa Rica. Presently the country embraces sustainable tourism meaning that they’re suitable to exercise environmentally friendly tourism.

 crucial changes

• Ban on single-use plastics and creation of biodegradable accoutrements.
• Eco-tourism programs that emphasize sustainability.
• National juggernauts to raise mindfulness about plastic pollution.

4. Germany Efficiency in Waste Management

 Germany’s waste operation is amongst the most effective in the world or at least that’s what numerous people believe. An overview of the Pfund system, a deposit return scheme in the country for take-averse of plastic bottles and holders shows that recycling has bettered a lot.

 Compliance with environmental norms and advanced recycling installations guarantee that further than 65 of German plastics are reclaimed. The principles of indirect frugality enhance the reduction of waste as an affair of manufacturing conditioning rather than the emphasis on producing and dealing with volumes.

 crucial enterprise

• Deposit return schemes that encourage bottle recycling.
• Advanced sorting technologies for plastic waste.
• Strong regulations on packaging waste and eco-friendly druthers

5. South Korea Technology and Community Action

 South Korea is indeed determined to reduce plastics set up in the terrain through boosted waste sorting. People are anticipated to sort their scrap into different orders, also, forfeitures are handed to all violators.

 There’s frequently astonishing support for green quilting, which is promoted by the government together with an exploration of the employing of eco-friendly accoutrements. Also, South Korea has worked with original communities in enhancing mindfulness and participation in the issue to do with waste reduction.

 crucial changes

• obligatory plastic sorting laws with strict enforcement.
• Promotion of eco-friendly druthers in the food and retail sectors.
• Investment in exploration for biodegradable plastics and accoutrements.

CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES IN INDIA

Lack of structure- The lack of processes and structure becomes a crucial challenge during the collection, isolation, and recycling of plastic waste. Inadequate transportation further hampers the disposal and collection process.

 Informal Recycling Sector- The large presence of informal requests makes it difficult to formalize and regulate the plastic recycling rules in India.

 Behavioural Change- Changing consumer behaviour and the lack of awareness about proper waste disposal and effective waste operation practices add to the challenge.

 Advanced recovering technologies- Limitation in the access to advanced installations for separating and recycling different types of plastic waste.

 Administering regulations coffers and bodies to apply the plastic waste operation laws. In addition to this, there’s a lack of collaboration and cooperation between stakeholders and bodies involved. The absence of clear guidelines contributes to inefficiencies in managing plastic waste.

RECENT DECISION OF THE US GOVERNMENT HAS SCRAPPED PAPER STRAWS TO GO BACK TO PLASTIC. 

When US President Donald Trump vowed to end the “ridiculous situation” of paper straws with an executive order recently, the order rolled back a previous policy aiming to phase out single-use plastic items, including straws, in federal operations such as food service, and directed the government to stop buying paper versions. Many people will have encountered a soggy paper straw that flops after a few sips. It’s a frustrating experience for sure, but some are concerned Trump’s targeting of them could be a signal of a broader move “back to plastic.” Just over a decade ago, it was not the image of exploding paper ones that came to mind at the mention of straws, but one of animal suffering. In 2015, the video of a plastic straw being painfully removed from a turtle’s bleeding nostril went viral, spurring a movement to reduce plastic waste. Since then, plastic straws have become emblematic of the global plastic pollution problem that now touches every part of life on Earth. In recent years, environmental concerns have driven several US cities and states, and brands such as McDonalds and Starbucks, have refrained from using it.

CONCLUSION

The changes over the times on the India’s plastic waste operation rules shows a progressive commitment to eradicating plastic pollution. While the challenge remains, the continuous advancements in the regulations show dedication to sustainability. The involvement of various stakeholders from the original communities to directors highlights a collaborative trouble in addressing this challenge. Working together will help reduce the reliance on single-use plastics. The cooperative trouble and commitment to this action are paving the way toward a cleaner and greener future for India.

 It should be noted that in the fight against plastic waste, that is plastic pollution, everyone should join in and put up strong political measures that will encourage technological inventions that will help fight this pollution. The samples from above foreign countries illustrate that the action towards minimum use and operation of plastic waste is within the dimension of global effective execution. This way other nations observe their success and showcase the same enthusiasm in creating a cleaner and a greener earth. As the world transitions down from oil painting oil and gas, some see plastics as a necessary business model for a conservative energy. It’s important to pay close attention towards all the factors causing any form of pollution.

CITATION (Welle, 2025) , (PIB, 2021)