India has now become the world’s largest plastic polluter, releasing 9.3 million tonnes (Mt) of plastic waste annually, which accounts for about one-fifth of global plastic emissions, according to a study published in the journal Nature.
The report suggests that India’s official waste generation figures, roughly 0.12 kilograms per capita per day, are likely underestimated, while waste collection rates are overestimated.
The study highlights several gaps in India’s waste data, such as the exclusion of rural areas and the informal recycling sector, as well as the widespread practice of open burning of uncollected waste, which significantly contributes to plastic pollution.
These factors exacerbate India’s growing plastic waste problem, especially as the country, now the most populous in the world, faces increasing environmental pressures.
Following India, Nigeria ranks second with 3.5 Mt of plastic emissions, and Indonesia third with 3.4 Mt. China, previously identified as the top global polluter, now ranks fourth.
The report attributes this shift to China’s considerable investment in waste collection and management infrastructure over the past 15 years, including waste incineration and controlled landfills.
Interestingly, while high-income countries generate more plastic waste overall, they do not rank among the top 90 polluters due to nearly universal collection systems and controlled disposal methods.
However, the researchers acknowledged that plastic waste emissions from these countries might still be underestimated, as the study excluded plastic waste exports from the analysis.
The findings are expected to inform the Global Plastics Treaty, a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution that 175 nations are set to finalize by 2024. The study offers a new baseline for countries to assess the extent of their plastic pollution and could aid in the development of targeted action plans.
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