A recent study has identified India as the world’s top plastic polluter, releasing an alarming 9.3 million tons (Mt) of plastic annually, according to a report from the Times of India. This accounts for nearly one-fifth of global plastic emissions, far surpassing other countries in terms of pollution.
Nigeria and Indonesia rank second and third, emitting 3.5 Mt and 3.4 Mt of plastic waste, respectively. The study, published in Nature, defines plastic emissions as materials that escape managed systems, such as landfills or recycling, and end up uncontrolled in the environment.
The study also highlights significant discrepancies in India’s waste management data. India’s official plastic waste generation rate of 0.12 kilograms per capita per day is believed to be underestimated. Additionally, the country’s waste collection figures may be inflated, largely due to the exclusion of rural data and the informal recycling sector, along with the open burning of uncollected waste.
Also read: India Set to Overtake USA & China as the Fastest-Growing Economy in 2024
Previously, China was the leading plastic polluter but has now dropped to fourth place, reflecting progress in its waste management systems. Over the past 15 years, China has made considerable investments in incineration facilities and controlled landfills, improving its global standing in plastic waste management.
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