The roadmap envisions a future where, by 2035, two-thirds of all plastics could be recycled, single-use plastics phased out, and plastic waste diverted into resources, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality
A global coalition of institutes led by CSIRO released a comprehensive roadmap to reduce plastic waste in India significantly.
Other than CSIRO, the collaborators included The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Development Alternatives, the University of New South Wales, and the University of Technology Sydney's Institute for Sustainable Futures.
The National Circular Economy Roadmap for Reducing Plastic Waste in India outlines future strategies to enhance the repair, re-use, and recycling of India's plastic waste, addressing a critical issue in one of the world's largest polymer-producing nations.
The roadmap envisions a future where, by 2035, two-thirds of all plastics could be recycled, single-use plastics phased out, and plastic waste diverted into resources, substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
With the 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste it generates daily, India holds the dubious distinction of being the largest contributor globally. However, much of this waste is in landfills or the environment. The roadmap's findings underscore the potential for creating value from plastic waste and preventing environmental pollution by building a circular economy in India.
Heinz Schandl, leading CSIRO's Circular Economy for Missions initiative, emphasised the roadmap's significance in paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future. He highlighted that the roadmap indicates a potential 20–50 percent reduction in greenhouse emissions and improved air quality by 2035, showcasing the positive environmental impact of transitioning to a circular economy.
The strategies outlined in the roadmap include investments in infrastructure, enhanced recycling capabilities, consistent compliance, increased commercial viability of technologies, adoption of secondary materials, sustainable consumption, and circular design and production to minimise waste.
Dr. Rita Dhodapkar from CSIR-NEERI emphasised the importance of sharing expertise between Australia and India to drive advancements in science and technology, extending the use of plastic materials. India, like Australia, is committed to reducing plastic waste by fostering innovation and adopting circular economy principles.
Simran Talwar from the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures highlighted the global nature of the plastic waste problem and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts. The roadmap, a result of three years of collaborative research, offers a comprehensive view of the entire plastics value chain and proposes recommendations for transitioning to a circular economy in India.
The roadmap aligns with the Government of India's and industry associations' objectives in responding to the requirements of the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty, which is expected to be implemented by 2024. Produced as part of an Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the roadmap provides valuable insights into India's plastics industry, offering a pathway to address environmental concerns and promote positive economic outcomes.
This initiative contributes to CSIRO's Ending Plastic Waste Mission, aiming to revolutionise plastic waste management, and the Circular Economy for Missions initiative, working to embed circular economy principles across CSIRO's research areas.