Capital City Faces Mounting Challenges in Battling Plastic Pollution
New Delhi, India’s national capital, is grappling with a plastic waste crisis of staggering proportions, with a report indicating that a staggering 240 tonnes of plastic waste are dumped in the city every day. Alarming statistics reveal that while New Delhi generates over 1,100 tonnes of plastic waste daily, only around 870 tonnes per day are effectively managed or recycled. This leaves a significant gap of 242 tonnes per day, which ultimately ends up in drains, landfills, or contaminates the River Yamuna, as per the latest data.
In a bid to address this pressing issue, officials in New Delhi have set a target of June 2024 to bridge this gap entirely. However, experts caution that achieving this goal will require substantial efforts, especially considering the city’s previous struggles in implementing a ban on 19 single-use plastic (SUP) items.
During a meeting with the high-level solid waste monitoring committee, municipal bodies shared crucial data that shed light on the dire situation. Currently, the national capital generates a staggering 1,113.25 tonnes of plastic waste per day, of which only 871.25 tonnes are being processed, leaving a glaring gap of 242 tonnes per day that demands immediate attention. The committee, headed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, was appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to oversee solid waste management efforts.
Atin Biswas, the programme director of the municipal solid waste sector at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), emphasized the importance of waste segregation as the fundamental step towards finding a solution to the waste problem. Biswas highlighted that Delhi’s recycling rate of 78% seems relatively high, but the lack of waste segregation impedes effective waste separation. Until waste segregation at the source is achieved, the target of bridging the gap by June 2024 appears highly unlikely, he cautioned.
Furthermore, New Delhi has fallen behind its single-use plastic (SUP) goals. Despite the ban on 19 SUP items in Delhi and other states and Union territories since July 1, 2022, these items are still commonly found in the city’s markets. Traders cite substantial price differences as a reason for their continued use of plastic items. However, experts argue that consumers’ mindsets must change, and alternatives to plastic must be promoted more effectively to eradicate the presence of SUP items in the market.
In an ambitious move, the Delhi government announced plans to clear all three dumpsites in the national capital. The Okhla dumpsite is scheduled to be cleared by December 2023, followed by Bhalswa in March 2024, and Ghazipur by December 2024. These dumpsites collectively occupy an area of 200 acres and hold approximately 28 million tonnes of legacy waste, presenting a significant environmental challenge.
As New Delhi grapples with the mounting plastic waste crisis, urgent action and a comprehensive approach are crucial to mitigate the harmful impact on the environment and public health. It is essential for all stakeholders, including government agencies, businesses, and citizens, to collaborate in adopting sustainable alternatives and waste management practices to create a cleaner and greener future for the national capital and the country as a whole.
