Nations unite to address global plastic pollution crisis in Busan

While the outcome on the climate finance deal at COP29 in Baku was derided by the developing nations, days later, 175 countries assembled in Busan, South Korea, for the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop a Global Treaty on ending plastic pollution.

At the ongoing discussion that will end on December 1, participating countries would argue that plastic pollution must be addressed through reduction in plastic production and a legally binding international agreement.

Experts state that India could play a pivotal role in leading the world towards the development of a global criteria for single-use plastic ban.

In 2022, India had already issued Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) guidelines under which manufacturers should register on a centralised portal. With these guidelines, India fixed the responsibility on manufacturers to ensure processing of their plastic packaging waste through recycling, re-use or end of life disposal.

Amit Tandon, Founder and CEO, PolyCycl Pvt Ltd said, “The Global Plastics Treaty is a rare, once-in-a-generation chance to build global collaboration to tackle plastic pollution head-on. India already boasts one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive EPR frameworks for plastic life-cycle management. With only a third of treaty member states having implemented any form of EPR, India also stands to offer a regulatory model for other nations for developing an effective and sustainable system for managing plastics.”

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, single-use plastics represent 36 per cent of the plastic production in the world.

In 2022, India banned 19 single use plastic items like plastic bags, cutlery, straws, food packaging, disposable water bottles and plastic cups.

Atin Biswas, programme director, Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy, Centre for Science and Environment, said, “India introduced a resolution in United Nations Environment Assembly 4, aimed at ending single-use plastic product pollution. The country is positioning itself as a leader in efforts to eliminate single-use plastics at both regional and national levels.”