According to the EA Earth Action’s 2024 report titled “Plastic Overshoot Day- September 5, 2024” , India is among the top 12 nations that contribute to around 60% of world’s mismanaged plastic waste.
- The 12 countries are China, India, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Vietnam, Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan, the United States of America(USA) and Türkiye.
Note:
- The report was launched ahead of the 4th meeting of the United Nations(UN)’ Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) in Ottawa, Canada from April 23-29, 2024.
- UN INC is a committee that develops legally binding instruments on topics related to plastic pollution.
Points to note:
i.India’s per capita plastic waste production stands at 8 kg per capita per year, one of the world’s lowest. India’s mismanaged plastic waste is less than one-fifth of China’s and one-third of the USA.
ii.The report stated that India is estimated to release an average of 3,91,879 tons of microplastics into the environment and 31,483 tons of chemical additives into waterways in 2024.
iii.The global plastic waste generation has increased by 7.11% since 2021. Globally around 220 million tons of plastic waste was developed in 2024 and 70 million tons will end up polluting the environment.
iv.Belgium has the highest plastic waste production per person, at 147.7 kg/year, 16 times more than India.
v.Oman leads in mismanaged plastic waste, with 111 kg per person in 2024, 30 times more than Norway.
What is Plastic Overshoot Day?
Plastic Overshoot Day marks when plastic waste surpasses waste management capacity, causing environmental pollution.
- For 2024, Plastic Overshoot Day, globally, is projected to be on September 5th, 2024. India’s Plastic Overshoot Day is expected on April 23rd, 2024.
i.In 2024, there are 117 days of plastic overshoot, indicating that during this time, the plastic waste won’t be adequately managed.
ii.Each country contributes to this overshoot based on its mismanaged plastic waste.
- By April 2024, nearly half of the world’s population will live in areas where plastic waste exceeds management capacity.
Assessment:
The report is based on the baseline year 2024 from municipal solid waste (packaging, textile and household), with a global plastic production of 220 Mt, that is distributed across different country archetypes: The Moderate Polluters, The Overloaders, The Low-Waste-Producing Polluters, The Toxic Waste Producers, The Transactors, The Self-Sustainers’.
Recent Related News:
i.On February 12, 2024, the first-ever ‘State of the World’s Migratory Species‘ report was launched at the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14), also known as Bonn Convention in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from February 12-17, 2024.
ii.On 6th February 2024, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated a 100 TPD (Tonnes Per Day) Integrated Waste Management Facility in South Goa. It has been developed for the scientific treatment of 60 TPD wet waste and 40 TPD dry waste.
About EA Earth Action:
EA Earth Action is a non-profit organization that provides environmental research, consulting, and solutions.
Co-CEOs– Julien Boucher and Sarah Perreard
Headquarters– Lausanne, Switzerland
Established in 2013
