Why Is India Importing Plastic Scrap When We Can't Recycle What Is Generated Domestically?

India is one of the biggest consumers of plastic in the world and subsequently one of the biggest contributors of non-biodegradable waste, globally.

But, only around half of the plastic scrap is recycled and reused. The remaining end up on the streets, in waste dumps and water bodies, adding to the ever-growing mountain of plastic waste in the country.

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Given the fact that we are not able to take care of our own recyclable waste, it is only ironic that we are one of the biggest importers of plastic waste from elsewhere.

The country generates over India, according to government statistics, 15,342 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day. Out of this, 6,000 tonnes of waste remain uncollected and littered. In India, according to government statistics, 15,342 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day. Out of this, 6,000 tonnes of waste remain uncollected and littered.

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But for the past couple of years, since the government lifted a ban on importing recyclable plastic wastes, India has seen a steady increase in the amount of it.

In Financial Year 2016-17 India imported 12,000 metric tonnes of PET Bottle Scrap and Flakes which increased to 48,000 MT in FY 17-18 growing up 290%.?

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In the first three months of FY 18-19, India has already imported 25,000 MT. At this rate, India will be importing 100,000 MT of PET Bottle Scrap and Flakes in FY 18-19 which will be another 130% increase over FY 17-18.

Those in the industry say that the easy availability and competitive cheaper costs are attracting Indian recyclers to import plastic waste.

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Others, however, point out that the import of PET Bottle Scrap/Flakes is a concern to the efforts to increase the collection and recycling of PET Bottles consumed in India.?

We are against the import of PET bottles and scrap for recycling because as long as it is there, nobody will collect or buy the domestically produced waste. The recycling of it should be our primary concern. The more import happens, the more plastic waste will pile up on our streets," Vinod Shukla, President, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Smriti Manch (PDUSM), said.

Shukla, who recently met Union Environment Minister Dr. Harshvardan to press for the demand to impose a ban on importing plastic waste said the preference given to imported scrap will also cause in the breakdown of the domestic supply chain and affect the livelihood of thousands of people like scrap collectors.

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"It is not just the collection of our plastic waste that is getting affected, but thousands of families whose only livelihood is this. Once the recyclers top buying PET bottles from them, they have no other livelihood left. Most of them already struggle to make ends meet. Eventually, they will have to look for some other ways to survive and the entire supply chain will collapse," Shukla explained.

He also claimed that the government, society and the corporate sector should work together with the aim to reduce the domestic plastic waste.

"The government should welcome and provide facilities to those coming forward to recycle plastic waste. At the same time, there should be a network of recycled machines across all major cities and towns. Scrap collectors and the general public should be provided the option to deposit their recyclable materials in these machines," he said.