WeCare with The Policy Times is organizing a series WeCare Policy Dialogue Series on ‘Issues of Plastic Waste Management & Single-Use Plastics in India.’ The Launch of this Dialogue series was organized on 4th February 2022 where 800 industry leaders from SPCBs, ULBs, Industry, NGOs, Brands, Institutions from across the country participated. The successful launch was in presence of Shri Mukkesh Surryan, Mayor, South Delhi Municipal Corporation, H.E. Mrs. Daniela Mariana Sezonov-Tane, Hon’ble Ambassador, Embassy of Romania, Dr. Erik Solheim, The Sixth UN Environment Executive Director and Former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and OECD Environment Directorate.
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In the inaugural session, Shri Mukkesh Surryan, Mayor, South Delhi Municipal Corporation said that SDMC collects about 40 tons of plastic waste daily and supplies it to the energy plants & cement factories. He further mentioned that SMDC has launched innovative campaigns such as ‘Plastic Lao pizza lejao’, ‘plastic Lao theyla lejao.’ He congratulated organizers for such a noble initiative. H.E. (Mrs.) Daniela Mariana SezonovTane, Hon’ble Ambassador, Embassy of Romania stressed the need to improve waste collection, sorting, and processing to stop plastic waste leakages. In her address, she further emphasized recycling the huge amount of plastic that is already in the environment by recycling literacy. While giving the example of Romania, she said that the national waste management policy is in line with the objectives of the European waste prevention policy. Romania adopted a national plan for waste management in January 2018 which has radically changed the business model in the field of packaging, waste, recycling in Romania. From the 1st July 2018, Romania has banned thin & very thin plastic transportation bags with handles and granted preference to biodegradable or reusable bags, other policies adopted under deposit-return-schemes. The legislation was issued by the ministry of environment in December 2020 & is expected to be fully effective from the first of April 2022. Romania also has an eco-tax applicable to any type of plastic bag, she added.
Dr. Erik Solheim, The Sixth UN Environment Executive Director and Former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations provided solutions to reduce plastic waste. There are three solutions. Firstly, Narendra Modi has launched a good policy in India to ban plastic waste. Secondly, the introduction of new technologies. Thirdly, waste needs to get recycled. Mr. Peter Börkey, Principal Administrator, OECD Environment Directorate stressed the reduction of the amount of plastic waste, improve the design of plastics to make the material more sustainable. He said that OECD focuses on closing leakage pathways; improving basic waste management capabilities & enhancing recycling.
Shri. S. Narayanan, IFS Member Secretary, Haryana State Pollution Control Board said that the Board’s main focus is on solid waste management. Haryana SPCB has enrolled 12 manufacturers, 51 recyclers, 63 producers of band owners, and importers. There are 28 multi-layered plastic units that are registered manufacturing units in Haryana. Haryana SPCB has done various awareness programs like Swachidagi Seva, Swachpa, Pakwada. Mr. Michael Rada, Founder, Industry 5.0. said that there are four types of waste – physical, social, urban & process waste. Single-use products are one of the most frequent wasted products. Plastic is another form of crude oil like water & ice. It can turn back to crude oil with the help of technologies. He said that the core problem is single-use.
Dr. Vijai Singhal, Chief Environmental Engineer, Rajasthan Pollution Control Board mentioned that around 70 recyclers in Rajasthan are engaged in recycling various kinds of plastics. The Government of Rajasthan has set up a waste management park that will not only enhance recycling in the state but will also make it more efficient and more economically profitable.
Atul Sud, President WeCare echoed that the first basic step is to initiate a multi-stakeholder dialogue that is consistent, purpose-oriented & inclusive. WeCare as an organization resonates with the policy direction of the Government of India to enhance recycling infrastructure in the country in a coordinated & constructed manner. The government is assisting the states to develop adequate infrastructure for solid & plastic waste management through the flagship Swachh Bharat Mission project. As India moves towards the economy it also has the potential to contribute to reducing the carbon intensity of the Indian economy.
Corporate Head – EHS, India & South Asia, Dabur Limited, Mr. Tusar Pattnaik enunciated that the road map for the plastic neutral is the key in Bhutan’s implementation of a circular economy in plastic management work. Therefore, the use of plastics needs to the reduced so that the littering problem will be minimized.
Mr. Ashish Jain, Director, Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA) developed the pathology of how to implement EPR. The intention of EPR is to strengthen the collection, segregation of litter plastic. IPCA has set up a recycling plant. Mr. Anurag Tiwari, Co-founder, Rekart Innovations Pvt. Ltd. said that the recyclers can facilitate circularity to generate more revenue for all stakeholders who are investing time, energy in the whole supply chain.
Mr. Amrendra Kumar, VP, Ramky & Whole Time Director Ramky-ARMIPCA expressed that as the largest waste management company in India, Ramky handles about 7 million tons of waste each year. Ramky Singapore is a case in point where they handle the entire city cleaning including the airport and operations of Singapore as well. Founder Director, GEM Enviro Management Pvt Ltd, Mr. Sachin Sharma mentioned that brand owners should not be reduced to an extreme extent, that collection becomes totally unviable. Mr. Rakesh Mishra, Head, Mishra Traders C/O Environment Care Solution, MP highlighted the need for scientific collection, segregation, and then recycling or co-processing. Swachh Bharat mission has brought immense progress in the recycling of plastic waste. The draft EPR has helped in the reduction of plastic waste and also prevented the waste from being littered in landfills. If MLP is brought into recycling then it will help the EPR to achieve its goal.
The conference ends with a vote of thanks by WeCare CEO Mr. Kamal Sharma for making a very useful session. Mr. Akram Hoque, Founder Editor, The Policy Times concluded the inaugural session with a vote of thanks. He concluded that EPR is becoming a very powerful tool for promoting and developing India’s plastic waste infrastructure. So, the regional dialogues will help to bring the right stakeholders from the region and continually forward to regular engagement on this.
