Ban on single-use plastic by the Government of India has to be backed up by awareness and incentives. Justify the statement. (200 Words)
Refer - Business Line
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 2 years
KEY POINTS
· The health hazards of consuming food or cosmetics packaged in thin plastic are only too well known; such plastic also clogs drains and ends up in landfills as it cannot be easily collected, and therefore recycled.
· The advantages of plastics its strength, lightness, malleability and protective qualities are undeniable, but its impacts on health and the ecosystem are truly alarming.
· A 2018 UNEP report on plastics points out that some European countries have chosen economic incentives and disincentives instead.
· The annual plastics consumption of about 20 million tonnes, about half is plastic waste, with little reliable data on how much is recycled.
· EPR mechanism is modelled on carbon credits, wherein a producer, importer or brand owner who exceeds the stipulated recycling target can sell ‘credits’ to a defaulter.
· The same discount can run all the way up the value chain back to the producer, who in turn can be given a tax break or a CSR benefit to more than offset this discount if she processes the waste.
· This effort should be accompanied by an awareness campaign against the needless use of carry bags. Such a campaign has worked in curtailing the purchase of crackers.
Harshitha G 2 years
Please review
IAS Parliament 2 years
Need better understanding. Try to include data to support your arguments. Keep Writing.
K. V. A 2 years
Kindly review
IAS Parliament 2 years
Try to elaborate on awareness and incentives seperately and interlink them. Keep Writing.
Nandhini Vijay 2 years
1. According to a ministry report, about 20 million tonnes that is half of the waste produced is plastic waste, with little reliable data on how much is recycled. Extended producer responsibility mechanism is modelled on carbon credits, where in producer, importer or brand owner who exceeds stipulated recycling target can sell credits to defaulters.
Consequences of plastics to environment
* Health hazards of consuming food or cosmetic packaged in thin plastic are known.
* It clogs drain, ends up in landfills as it can't be easily collected or recycled.
* It causes serious health impacts on both terrestrial and aquatic marine organisms and economic impact on the people depending upon marine ecosystems.
* Largely destructed is the environment degraded without improper disposal of plastics and forgotten responsibilities of producers.
Way ahead
* A UNEP report 2018 on plastics point out that some European countries have chosen economic incentives and disincentives instead .
* Municipalities and local self governing institutions can be backed with devolution of more funds and accompanying public with awareness campaigns and promoting the use of eco friendly carry bags. Eg. Such campaigns have worked in curtailing purchase of crackers.
*Discount to producers, as tax break or CSR benefits can be extended if they process the generated wastes.
* Consumers can be encouraged by brand owners such as toothpastes and shampoo producers to return their empty containers or tubes for discount.
A focus on recycling is more effective than more reliance on ban to get rid of mountains of plastic waste.
IAS Parliament 2 years
Need better understanding consequences are not required, try to focus on awareness and incentives. Keep Writing.
Rahul 2 years
please review!
IAS Parliament 2 years
Good attempt. Keep Writing.
