Decision Makers:
Shri Tushar Giri Nath, IAS, Chief Commissioner, BBMP
Sri ESHWAR KHANDRE, Minister of Forest, Ecology and Environment, GoK
Vijay Mohan Raj, IFS, Chairman, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
Demands:
Properly implement the ban on single-use plastics and enforce strict penalties for violations.
Implement a multi-bin system (e.g., wet, dry, plastics, e-waste, hazardous, and sanitary waste) across households, businesses, and institutions, inspired by Indore’s model.
Mandate waste segregation compliance by contractors, with monitoring systems like geo-tagging and digital reporting.
Implement stricter regulations to phase out multi-layered plastics and other non-recyclable packaging materials.
Launch public awareness campaigns to reduce plastic usage and promote sustainable alternatives.
Introduction
Plastic pollution is suffocating our planet, and India is at the centre of this crisis. Every year, we generate a staggering 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste. This accounts for nearly 20% of the global generation of plastic waste - making us the biggest generator of plastic waste in the world. Rivers polluted with plastic are killing marine ecosystems, while microplastics are making their way into the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe.
In Bengaluru, single-use plastics remain a persistent issue despite efforts like the 2016 plastic ban by the Karnataka government. While the ban reduced some visible plastic usage, enforcement challenges mean that 60% of the city’s plastic waste is either unaccounted for or goes uncollected, polluting local lakes and drains. Bellandur and Varthur lakes, infamous for toxic frothing, are stark reminders of the city's growing plastic waste problem.
Why it Matters
From production to disposal, plastics are responsible for releasing millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases annually. If unchecked, plastic production could consume 20% of the world’s oil supply by 2050, undermining efforts to reduce global warming. Open burning of plastic waste releases toxic chemicals, compounding the air pollution problem in cities already grappling with hazardous air quality.
Bengaluru produces approximately 2.96 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually. According to the Karnataka State Plastic Association, plastic consumption in the city is approximately 16 kg per person every month. Much of this waste ends up in the city’s landfills, where it takes centuries to decompose. Public spaces like Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Gardens often face littering with plastic bottles and bags, threatening the city’s green lungs.
Despite India’s ban on select single-use plastics in 2022 and policies like the Plastic Waste Management Rules (2022), enforcement is inadequate, and our waste management infrastructure is overwhelmed.
This is more than just an environmental issue, it’s about our future. Plastic pollution exacerbates climate change, endangers wildlife, and poses severe health risks. If we act now, we can help prevent this impending crisis. But without strict enforcement, better waste management, and widespread public awareness, these policies will remain empty promises.
This is why we are demanding:
Properly enforce the single-use plastic ban with strict penalties for violations.
Require households, businesses, and institutions to segregate plastic waste at the source, facilitating efficient recycling and disposal.
Introduce measures to phase out multi-layered plastics and other non-recyclable materials, replacing them with sustainable alternatives.
Educate and empower citizens to embrace sustainable alternatives through awareness campaigns.
The battle against plastic pollution is a battle for cleaner air, healthier oceans, and a livable planet. Join us in urging authorities to take decisive action. Together, we can protect our environment and secure a sustainable future.
Sources:
Decision Makers:
Shri Tushar Giri Nath, IAS, Chief Commissioner, BBMP
Sri ESHWAR KHANDRE, Minister of Forest, Ecology and Environment, GoK
Vijay Mohan Raj, IFS, Chairman, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
Demands:
Properly implement the ban on single-use plastics and enforce strict penalties for violations.
Implement a multi-bin system (e.g., wet, dry, plastics, e-waste, hazardous, and sanitary waste) across households, businesses, and institutions, inspired by Indore’s model.
Mandate waste segregation compliance by contractors, with monitoring systems like geo-tagging and digital reporting.
Implement stricter regulations to phase out multi-layered plastics and other non-recyclable packaging materials.
Launch public awareness campaigns to reduce plastic usage and promote sustainable alternatives.
Introduction
Plastic pollution is suffocating our planet, and India is at the centre of this crisis. Every year, we generate a staggering 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste. This accounts for nearly 20% of the global generation of plastic waste - making us the biggest generator of plastic waste in the world. Rivers polluted with plastic are killing marine ecosystems, while microplastics are making their way into the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe.
In Bengaluru, single-use plastics remain a persistent issue despite efforts like the 2016 plastic ban by the Karnataka government. While the ban reduced some visible plastic usage, enforcement challenges mean that 60% of the city’s plastic waste is either unaccounted for or goes uncollected, polluting local lakes and drains. Bellandur and Varthur lakes, infamous for toxic frothing, are stark reminders of the city's growing plastic waste problem.
Why it Matters
From production to disposal, plastics are responsible for releasing millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases annually. If unchecked, plastic production could consume 20% of the world’s oil supply by 2050, undermining efforts to reduce global warming. Open burning of plastic waste releases toxic chemicals, compounding the air pollution problem in cities already grappling with hazardous air quality.
Bengaluru produces approximately 2.96 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually. According to the Karnataka State Plastic Association, plastic consumption in the city is approximately 16 kg per person every month. Much of this waste ends up in the city’s landfills, where it takes centuries to decompose. Public spaces like Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Gardens often face littering with plastic bottles and bags, threatening the city’s green lungs.
Despite India’s ban on select single-use plastics in 2022 and policies like the Plastic Waste Management Rules (2022), enforcement is inadequate, and our waste management infrastructure is overwhelmed.
This is more than just an environmental issue, it’s about our future. Plastic pollution exacerbates climate change, endangers wildlife, and poses severe health risks. If we act now, we can help prevent this impending crisis. But without strict enforcement, better waste management, and widespread public awareness, these policies will remain empty promises.
This is why we are demanding:
Properly enforce the single-use plastic ban with strict penalties for violations.
Require households, businesses, and institutions to segregate plastic waste at the source, facilitating efficient recycling and disposal.
Introduce measures to phase out multi-layered plastics and other non-recyclable materials, replacing them with sustainable alternatives.
Educate and empower citizens to embrace sustainable alternatives through awareness campaigns.
The battle against plastic pollution is a battle for cleaner air, healthier oceans, and a livable planet. Join us in urging authorities to take decisive action. Together, we can protect our environment and secure a sustainable future.
Sources: