QUE : What is a ‘plastic pact’? Discuss its need and expected outcomes.

The main objective of the Plastic Pact is to bring together businesses, governments and non-governmental organizations across the entire value chain to set time-bound commitments to reduce plastic waste.

                 The Pact focuses on solutions and innovation in plastic waste. It will play a complementary role in the efforts to limit single-use plastics.

• Need for a ‘plastic pact’:
  

•  Widespread indiscriminate use of plastic and non-recycling of unnecessary used plastic.
•  India generates 9.46 metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, of which 40% is not collected.
•  It is the need of the hour to achieve the concept of ‘best from waste’ as per global standards and by joining a world-class treaty.
•  Land pollution, marine pollution and all animals including humans are at risk when plastic gets mixed up in the food chain.
•  Plastic waste clogs drains, endangers marine life and poses health risks to the inhabitants of the natural environment.
•  Strict regulation of plastics, reducing plastic from its value chain and focusing on innovation were the demands of the present time.
  

•  Expected outcomes:
  
•  The “circular economy principles” of the New Plastic Economy will gain momentum.
•  The Plastic Pact will prove beneficial for society, economy, environmental biodiversity in the face of current problems.
•  This agreement will support the government’s comprehensive producer responsibility framework and will also help improve solid waste management as per the goals of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

•  Plastic production system and management It will promote the development and maturity of the ecosystem.
•  It will also help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing pollution.
• It will promote public-private collaboration in the field of plastic management.
•  It will help in reducing the use of problematic plastics.
•  It will retain valuable materials in the economy for use in other products.
•  The Plastic Pact will generate employment, investment and opportunities in India.

                           Thus, the Plastic Pact will eliminate unnecessary and problematic plastic packaging through redesign and innovation, along with financial generation through circular economy by adopting global treaties and standards. It will make possible the conservation of biodiversity with environmental benefits.