NEW CHEMICALS IN PLASTICS

1. A new study has revealed the presence of at least 3,000 chemicals in plastic.
2. The study was conducted by a team of European scientists and funded by the Norwegian Research Council.
3. The study identified more than 16,000 chemicals in plastics, a quarter of which are considered hazardous to human health and the environment.
4. The discovery has raised concerns about contamination and consumer safety.
5. Plastic is found everywhere in everyday items like food packaging, toys, and medical devices.

Plastic Chemicals Exceed Previous Estimates

1. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) had previously identified about 13,000 plastic chemicals.
2. The findings highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to tackle the growing plastic pollution crisis.

Addressing the Full Life Cycle of Plastics

1. The world is facing a growing plastic pollution crisis, with approximately 400 million tonnes of plastic waste generated every year.
2. To effectively solve the problem of plastic pollution, it is important to examine the full life cycle of plastics and address the issue of chemicals.
3. Plastic chemicals can leach into water and food, posing potential health risks to consumers.

Response and Need for Transparency

1. Regulation of chemicals used in plastics.
2. The report's authors highlighted that tackling plastic waste alone is not enough.

Lack of Basic Information and Regulation

1. This lack of transparency stems from complex value chains, where producers often do not have a clear understanding of the chemicals present in their products.
2. Only 6% of the chemicals found in plastics are regulated internationally.

Global Efforts to Tackle it:

1. The 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter, also known as the London Convention.
2. The 1996 Protocol to the London Convention.
3. The 1978 Protocol to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) was developed
4. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) recognizes plastic marine debris and its capacity to carry harmful substances as one of the primary emerging issues impacting the environment.
5. The GloLitter Partnerships (GLP), a project initiated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) received initial funding from the Government of Norway

6. Clean Seas Campaign:

   1. The Clean Seas Campaign, which was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2017, aimed to inspire a global movement to tackle the issue of plastic pollution.
   2. The campaign focused on reducing the use of unnecessary and avoidable plastics, including single-use plastics, and phasing out intentionally added microplastics.

India’s Efforts in Tackling Plastic Waste

1. Single-Use Plastic Ban: India has prohibited the production, use, and sale of single-use plastics such as bags, cups, plates, and straws in various states.
2. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): The Indian government has established EPR, holding plastic manufacturers accountable for managing and disposing of the waste generated by their products.
3. Plastic Waste Management Rules: India enacted the Plastic Waste Management Rules in 2016, providing a framework for addressing plastic waste through measures like recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives.
4. Plastic Waste Management Rules: The Plastic Waste Management Rules include guidelines for plastic waste collection, segregation, processing, and disposal, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution.

5. Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022:

   1. The guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) were implemented alongside the prohibition of certain single-use plastic items.
   2. This ban encompasses the manufacturing, importing, stocking, distributing, selling, and using of carry bags made from virgin or recycled plastic with a thickness of less than 75 micrometers.
6. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: The Indian government established the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a national cleanliness initiative that involves the collection and disposal of plastic waste.
7. Plastic Parks: India created Plastic Parks, specialized industrial hubs for the recycling and processing of plastic waste.
8. Beach Clean-up Drives: Indian government organizations and non-governmental organizations collaborate on beach clean-up drives to collect and dispose of plastic waste from beaches.
9. Awareness Campaigns: India initiated awareness campaigns to educate the public about the detrimental effects of plastic pollution and encourage sustainable alternatives.

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