According to a comprehensive report, India's national capital, New Delhi, faces a significant crisis with plastic waste management. Currently, the city generates over 1,100 tonnes of plastic waste daily. However, only about 870 tonnes per day (TPD) is effectively managed or recycled. This results in an alarming shortfall of approximately 230 tonnes, which accounts for nearly 22 per cent of the city's total plastic waste. The unprocessed waste not only clogs the drainage system but also accumulates in landfills and poses a serious environmental threat to the River Yamuna, a vital water source for millions.
In response to this pressing issue, government officials have set an ambitious target to bridge this gap by June 2024. However, experts warn that achieving this goal will require substantial efforts and changes in strategy. For instance, municipal authorities have struggled to enforce the ban on 19 specified single-use plastic (SUP) items, further complicating waste management efforts.
During a recent meeting of the high-level solid waste monitoring committee, which oversees waste management practices in the city, municipal bodies provided updated statistics. The reported figures indicated that New Delhi generates about 1,113.25 TPD of plastic waste, while only 871.25 TPD is being processed. This stark disparity calls for urgent action to address the remaining gap of around 230 tonnes.
The committee, appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), is chaired by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. Within this context, Atin Biswas, the program director for the municipal solid waste sector at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), highlighted the critical importance of basic waste segregation for any city seeking effective waste management solutions. He pointed out, "As it stands, the reported recycling figure of 78 per cent may appear high, but it is misleading because Delhi lacks an organized waste segregation system practised in many other cities. Waste can only be effectively separated when segregation is implemented at the source. Until we accomplish this, reaching the June 2024 target seems unlikely."
Challenges with Implementing Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Goals
Furthermore, New Delhi is notably behind in achieving its single-use plastic (SUP) reduction objectives. The prohibition on [number_of_items] specific plastic items went into effect on July 1, 2022, by the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2021, officially issued on August 12, 2021. Despite the legal ban, many items on the prohibited list remain prevalent in markets across the city, indicating a significant gap between legislation and real-world enforcement.
Significant Price Discrepancies
Due to considerable price discrepancies, local vendors are finding it difficult to comply with the ban on single-use plastics. For example, Bhiku Ram, who operates a fruit juice stall, has continued to use plastic straws and spoons. He explains, "I have attempted to switch to alternatives, but the cost difference is substantial. Plastic remains readily available, and enforcement agencies are not motivated to uphold the ban." This reflects a broader challenge where economic factors often overshadow environmental concerns, leading to the continued use of harmful plastic products.
Ashish Jain, the founder and director of the NGO Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA), remarked on the situation, stating, "While government agencies are gradually beginning to take concrete actions against plastic pollution, there needs to be a significant change in consumer attitudes as well. For instance, products like plastic furniture have various alternatives, yet consumers choose plastic options. We need to eliminate these choices from the market altogether to foster more environmentally friendly consumer behaviour."
Plans for Cleaning Up Major Dumpsites
In addition to these challenges, the government of Delhi has previously announced an ambitious initiative to clear three of the city's largest dumpsites, representing a significant portion of the waste management crisis. Officials have outlined a timeline for this project: the Okhla dumpsite is expected to be cleared by December 2023, the Bhalswa site by March 2024, and the Ghazipur dumpsite by December 2024. Together, these three dumpsites occupy approximately 200 acres and hold an estimated 28 million tonnes of legacy waste, posing serious environmental and public health concerns. This initiative's success is crucial for improving waste management in Delhi and setting a precedent for other cities grappling with similar challenges.
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