Plastic pollution is emerging as a serious environmental threat in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to address this problem and also the government's initiatives in this regard.

1. Microplastics → found in ecosystems and food chains

2. Huge land waste → plastic dumpsites leading to pollution.

3. Burning of plastic waste → Carbon monoxide Volatile organic Compound

4. Leaching in groundwater → heavy metals.

5. Informal waste collection → health hazard.

Mitigation measures →

1. 3R framework → 'Circular economy' → Reduce (plastic use) Reuse (glass) Recycle (plastic waste)

2. Segregation of waste collection as plastic waste (separate bins) for ease of recycling.

3. Generate 'waste-to-energy' by plastic incineration → Create plants and infrastructure.

4. Replace 'Single-use plastics' → Jute bags Paper Glass

Initiatives taken

1. Banning of 'single use plastics' from 2022 (But poor execution).

2. Plastic waste managemet rules 2017 → Polluter pay principle → Extended producer responsibility

3. Plastic Mascot for awareness generation

4. Incineration plants eg Indore landfill.