As India grapples with rising plastic pollution, environmental experts are calling for a national mission modeled on the country’s renewable energy transformation.
They propose setting an ambitious target to recover 90% of plastic waste by 2035, positioning it as a “moon-shot” goal to drive systemic change.In a recent commentary, sustainability researcher Shashank Sharma argued that India must adopt a unified, measurable objective backed by policy, technology, and public engagement—much like it did with solar and wind energy over the last decade. “India’s renewable story was powered by clear goals and strong coordination. We need the same clarity to tackle plastics,” Sharma stated.
State Scorecards and Policy Push
To accelerate progress, experts recommend the introduction of state-level scorecards to track collection, recycling, and waste management. This approach, they say, would promote healthy competition among states and create public accountability.
India generates over 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, according to the Central Pollution Control Board, with much of it ending up in landfills or water bodies. While policies like the 2022 ban on select single-use plastics and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) have been implemented, enforcement and infrastructure gaps persist.
Innovation as a Catalyst
The report emphasizes the need to pair regulation with innovation. Solutions such as plastic-to-fuel conversion, chemical recycling, and deposit-refund systems are emerging across Indian cities, along with grassroots models for collection and reuse.“There’s an opportunity to treat plastic not just as waste, but as a design challenge,” Sharma noted, urging policymakers to promote circular design principles and business models that reduce plastic at the source.
Building a Circular Future
India’s experience in scaling renewable energy—rising from under 20 GW of solar capacity in 2015 to over 70 GW today—demonstrates what is possible with the right alignment of incentives, investment, and intent. Environmentalists believe the same momentum can be harnessed in the plastics sector with a clear, shared vision.“If India can mobilize around plastic like it did for solar, it could become a global leader in circular economy practices,” Sharma concluded.
News Courtesy : deccan herald