Uttar Pradesh Ranks Eighth in Plastic Waste Emissions | 28 Oct 2022

Why in News?

• According to the Plastic Alternative Report-2022 released on October 27, 2022, Uttar Pradesh ranks eighth in terms of plastic waste emissions in the country.

Key Points

• The report also talks about innovative applications by various states for recycling and reusing waste.
• It is to be noted that Uttar Pradesh has banned the manufacture, collection, transportation, sale, recycling and use of single-use plastics since 2018 and two plants to convert plastic waste into fuel have been set up in the state.
• One such plant was set up in Prayagraj in the state last year. In this, single-use plastic is used to convert it into fuel. Apart from this, a plant is already functioning in Mathura. The capacity of both these plants is 2700 tonnes per annum.
• Apart from setting up plants, plastic waste is also being used in road construction and paper mills have taken the initiative to reuse such waste with cement mills.
• The Plastic Alternative Report-2022 states that Maharashtra ranks first in terms of plastic waste emissions in the country and Goa is ranked one in terms of per capita waste removal. It is followed by Delhi and Kerala and Uttar Pradesh at number 28. Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura top the list in terms of low per capita plastic waste emissions.
• Status of other states in plastic waste emissions-

• The report states that 34,69,780 tonnes of plastic waste is generated in the country every year. This figure is for the year 2019-20. The per capita plastic waste emissions in the country has been doubled in five years i.e. 2016-20.
• It has also been reported in the report that due to the Swachh Bharat Mission, the waste management infrastructure has become very strong in different states of the country and now the trend of converting plastic waste into other forms and using it elsewhere has increased with new technology. However, it needs to be taken to a wider level, as it is not enough right now.