Plastic Pollution Crisis in the Himalayas

Context: A new report from The Himalayan Cleanup 2024 shows that over 70% of plastic waste in the Indian Himalayas is non-recyclable, with single-use food and beverage packaging being the dominant source of pollution.

About Plastic Pollution Crisis in the Himalayas:

• Main Source: Over 80% of plastic waste in the Himalayas originates from single-use food and beverage packaging.

• Non-Recyclable Waste: 71% of collected plastic is non-recyclable, including multi-layered plastics (MLP), with limited or no market value.

• Top Polluting Brands: Instant noodles (Wai Wai, Maggi), energy drinks (Sting, Mountain Dew), and snacks (Lays, Bingo) contribute significantly.

Policy Recommendations from THC 2024 Report:

• Ban Multi-Layered Plastics (MLPs): These form nearly 68.5% of waste and are non-recyclable.

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Hold brands accountable for their packaging waste.

• Ban Junk Food & Energy Drinks near Schools: To reduce child exposure and littering.

• Mandatory Labelling: Enforce clear, front-of-pack warnings on high-risk products.

• Shift from Recycling to Redesign: Embrace a ‘design-out-waste’ approach for sustainable packaging.

• Strengthen Local Bodies: Equip rural and mountain municipalities with resources and training for waste management.

Relevance in UPSC Syllabus

• GS Paper 3 – Environment

• Pollution and Solid Waste Management: Case study for non-recyclable plastic. Conservation and Ecology: Highlights threats to Himalayan ecosystems. Disaster and Vulnerability: Waste mismanagement in fragile regions.

• Pollution and Solid Waste Management: Case study for non-recyclable plastic.

• Conservation and Ecology: Highlights threats to Himalayan ecosystems.

• Disaster and Vulnerability: Waste mismanagement in fragile regions.

• GS Paper 2 – Governance & Policy

• Environmental Governance: Regulatory gaps in plastic packaging. Policy Interventions: Need for integrated waste management in hilly areas.

• Environmental Governance: Regulatory gaps in plastic packaging.

• Policy Interventions: Need for integrated waste management in hilly areas.

• Essay & Ethics

• Topics on sustainable living, corporate responsibility, and ecological ethics.