The Hidden Truth Behind India's Plastic Waste: Exposing Greenwashing Tactics

India is confronted with a huge challenge of plastic waste management, as the nation produces around 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, out of which merely 8% is recycled. This has created a serious environmental issue, such as pollution, wildlife damage, and climate change effects. Following are the main highlights:

 

Environmental Issues: Plastic litter in India not only contaminates water and land but also causes climate change through noxious gas emissions during decomposition. Incorrect disposal blocks drains, resulting in flooding of urban areas and polluting water sources.

 

Greenwashing: Firms that are deemed "plastic neutral" are questioned because of a lack of third-party verification, which leads to suspicion of greenwashing. This encompasses claims made by leading consumer goods groups such as Hindustan Lever and Dabur.

 

Plastic Waste Management Rules: India has come up with more stringent rules, such as the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2025, which make Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandatory and insist on barcoding products to make recycling simpler.

 

Circular Economy Initiatives: There are attempts to push a circular economy, with collaborations between government bodies, companies, and NGOs to develop recycling infrastructure and promote biodegradable options.

 

Source: New Indian Express, Eco-Business, Corpseed, Drishti IAS