India Responsible for a Fifth of Global Plastic Pollution, New Study Reveals

A recent study published in Nature reveals that India is responsible fora significant portion of global plastic pollution, contributing to about 9.3 million tonnes (mt) annually. This figure highlights India’s outsized role in the plastic pollution crisis, with the country burning 5.8 mt of plastic and releasing 3.5 mt into the environment each year. India’s contribution surpasses that of other major polluters, such as Nigeria (3.5 mt), Indonesia (3.4 mt), and China (2.8 mt).

Unmanaged Plastic Waste and Its Impact

The research was conducted by scientists from the University of Leeds, including Joshua W. Cottom, Ed Cook, and Costas A. Velis. It estimates that about 251 mt of plastic waste is generated globally each year, enough to fill 200,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Approximately one-fifth of this plastic waste, 52.1 mt, is emitted into the environment. The authors differentiate between “managed” and “unmanaged” waste. Managed waste is collected by municipal bodies and either recycled or disposed of in landfills, though most of it ends up in the latter.

Unmanaged waste, on the other hand, poses a more severe threat. This waste is either burned in uncontrolled fires or left as debris, polluting various parts of the world, including remote locations like Mount Everest and the Mariana Trench. Open burning of plastic releases toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, which have been linked to heart disease, respiratory problems, cancer, and neurological disorders.

According to the study, about 43% of unmanaged waste, or 22.2 mt, takes the form of unburned debris, while the remaining 29.9 mt is burned either in dumpsites or locally. This means that a significant portion of plastic pollution involves open burning, which exacerbates the global pollution crisis by releasing harmful pollutants into the air.

Global Divide in Plastic Pollution

A key finding of the study is the disparity between plastic pollution in the Global North and the Global South. The researchers noted that plastic waste emissions are highest in countries located in Southern Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeastern Asia. The study points out that approximately 69% of global plastic pollution, about 35.7 mt per year, is produced by 20 nations, none of which are classified as High-Income Countries (HICs).

Despite the fact that HICs, mostly in the Global North, generate more plastic waste than their Southern counterparts, they are not among the top 90 polluters. This is because these nations have near-total collection coverage and controlled disposal systems in place. In contrast, open burning is the predominant method of waste management in the Global South, with the exception of Sub-Saharan Africa, where a larger share of pollution comes from unmanaged debris.

However, researcher Costas Velis cautions against blaming the Global South for the plastic pollution crisis. He explained, “We shouldn’t put the blame, any blame, on the Global South… [or] praise ourselves about what we do in the Global North in any way,” adding that waste disposal capabilities largely depend on government infrastructure and resources. The lack of adequate public infrastructure for waste management in many developing countries results in higher rates of open burning and debris pollution.

Ongoing Debate Over Plastic Pollution

This study is released at a critical time, as negotiations for the world’s first legally binding international treaty on plastic pollution are ongoing. In 2022, the UN Environmental Assembly agreed to create such a treaty, which many experts believe could be the most significant environmental agreement since the Paris Climate Accord of 2015. The treaty is expected to be finalized by the end of 2024, but reaching a consensus on its contents has proven challenging.

There are two main factions in the debate over the treaty. On one side are fossil fuel-producing nations and industry groups, which see plastic pollution primarily as a waste management problem. These countries argue that improving waste management infrastructure, particularly in the Global South, is the key to mitigating pollution. On the other side are countries in the European Union and Africa, which advocate for stronger measures, including phasing out single-use plastics and curbing production.

The so-called “High Ambition Coalition,” comprising countries from the EU and Africa, contends that managing plastic waste alone is not a viable solution. Given the immense volume of plastic waste being generated, the complexity of recycling, and the economics involved, they argue that limiting production is essential. A study published in *Science Advances* in April 2024 backs this position, demonstrating a direct relationship between plastic production and pollution levels. The study found that a 1% increase in plastic production results in a corresponding 1% increase in plastic pollution.

Criticism of the Study

While the recent research has garnered praise from certain industry groups, it has also faced criticism. Some environmental advocates argue that focusing too much on waste management risks ignoring the root cause of the problem: the unchecked production of plastics.

Neil Tangri, senior director of science and policy at GAIA, a global advocacy network working toward zero waste and environmental justice, told The Associated Press, “It risks us losing our focus on the upstream and saying, hey now all we need to do is manage the waste better. It’s necessary but it’s not the whole story.” Tangri and others argue that without addressing the issue of plastic production, any efforts to improve waste management will fall short.

Despite these criticisms, the plastics industry has responded positively to the study. Chris Jahn, council secretary of the International Council of Chemical Associations, emphasized the importance of improving waste collection and management. In a statement, he said, “This study underscores that uncollected and unmanaged plastic waste is the largest contributor to plastic pollution.”

Conclusion

The study sheds light on the growing issue of plastic pollution and its global distribution, showing that countries in the Global South are bearing the brunt of the crisis, despite generating less plastic waste than wealthier nations. While improving waste management systems is essential, critics argue that this alone will not solve the problem. As treaty negotiations continue, the world is faced with the challenge of balancing production limits with waste management to effectively combat the escalating plastic pollution crisis.