GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Environment Conservation
Source: DTE
Context: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released an interim report (titled “Towards Eliminating Plastic Pollution by 2040: A Policy Scenario Analysis”) revealing that 21 million tonnes of plastics leak into the environment globally in 2022.
- The report was presented in the 3rd session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, which aims to establish an international binding agreement on plastic pollution.
- The full report with more detailed analysis and policy guidance is expected in the first half of 2024
The key findings of the report:
Under the climate policies in place as of 2021 (taken as a baseline), there would be a 50% increase in leakage of (macro)plastics to the environment by 2040.
Early, stringent, and coordinated policy action globally (costing just 0.5% of global GDP) could cut plastic waste generation in 2040 by a quarter below the baseline.
Detrimental Consequences of Continued Plastic Use and Waste Volumes:
| Consequences | Examples |
| 1. Environmental Impact | Accumulation of plastic in oceans, harming marine life. |
| Disruption of ecosystems due to plastic pollution. | |
| 2. Climate Impact | Greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production. |
| Energy-intensive processes for plastic recycling. | |
| 3. Health Impact | Microplastics enter the food chain (bioaccumulation) and affect human health. |
| Respiratory issues due to the burning of plastic waste. | |
| 4. Economic Impact | Costs associated with cleaning up plastic pollution. |
| Loss of tourism revenue in areas affected by plastic debris. | |
| 5. Wildlife Impact | Ingestion of plastic by animals, leads to fatalities. |
| Entanglement of wildlife in plastic debris. | |
| 6. Resource Depletion | Depletion of fossil fuels for plastic production. |
| train on natural resources for raw materials. |
Recommendations proposed in the Report:
| Recommendations | Description |
| 1. Curb Production and Demand | Implement targeted taxes and regulations on avoidable plastics e.g., India’s ban on Single-Use plastics in 2022 |
| Restrict production and demand to sustainable levels e.g., using alternatives of plastics; adopting the LiFE approach of India | |
| 2. Design for Circularity | Improve the plastic production process through eco-design criteria. |
| Establish product standards that promote reuse | |
| 3. Enhance Recycling | Strengthen material loops by improving separate collection, sorting, and recycling of plastic waste |
| Implement measures like extended producer responsibility | |
| 4. Close Leakage Pathways | Decrease environmental losses by implementing effective waste collection and disposal methods. |
For Single Use plastic: Click Here
Initiatives Taken to tackle microplastics:
- Global Initiatives:
- Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML)
- GloLitter Partnerships Project
- London Convention, 1972
- India-Specific Initiatives:
- Elimination of single-use plastic
- Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
- Un-Plastic Collective
- Kerala: Beat Plastic Pollution Initiative
How are other countries dealing with single-use plastic?
- Consensus on SUP in UN: This year, 124 countries, parties to the United Nations Environment Assembly, including India, signed a resolution to draw up an agreement which will in the future make it legally binding for the signatories to address the full life of plastics from production to disposal, to end plastic pollution.
- 68 countries have plastic bag bans with varying degrees of enforcement
- Bangladesh: Bangladesh became the first country to ban thin plastic bags in 2002.
- China: China issued a ban on plastic bags in 2020 with a phased implementation.
- EU: EU bans certain single-use plastics for which alternatives are available.
Insta Links:
Mains Link:
What is single-use plastic and what are the concerns associated with it? How can it be successfully phased out in the country? (15M)
Prelims Link:
Bisphenol A (BPA), a cause of concern, is a structural/key component in the manufacture of which of the following kinds of plastics? (UPSC 2021)
(a) Low-density polyethylene
(b) Polycarbonate
(c) Polyethylene terephthalate
(d) Polyvinyl chloride
Answer: B
BPA stands for bisphenol A, an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1950s. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as water bottles.
Triclosan considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following? (UPSC 2021)
(a) Food preservatives
(b) Fruit-ripening substances
(c) Reused plastic containers
(d) Toiletries
Answer: D
Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent present in some consumer products, including toothpaste, soaps, detergents, toiletries toys, and surgical cleaning treatments
