India’s 9.3MT Plastic Crisis: PWM Rules & Treaty Diplomacy: Sample Q&A

Key Takeaways: Treaty Deadlock & India’s Stance
Why Talks Failed:
Contentious Issues: No consensus on capping plastic production, banning toxic chemicals, or defining microplastics.
Bloc Divide:
High Ambition Coalition (HAC): Wanted binding production cuts.
Oil-Producing Nations: Pushed for waste management over production limits.
India’s Position:
Opposed global caps on polymer production, citing development needs.
Demanded finance & tech transfer to developing nations for pollution control.
Focused on reducing pollution, not production.
 
Plastic Crisis: Why a Treaty is Urgent
Production Boom:
1950: 2 million tonnes → 2023: 450+ million tonnes (Set to triple by 2060).
Only <10% recycled (The Lancet, 2023).
Global Impact:
Health: Microplastics cause cancer, diabetes, hormonal disorders.
Climate: 3.4% of global GHG emissions (1.8B tonnes in 2019, OECD).
India’s Burden: 9.3 million tonnes/year plastic pollution – highest globally (Nature study).
 
India’s Plastic Categories (PWM Rules 2016)
PET (Type 1)
Symbol: 1
Common Uses: Water bottles, packaging
HDPE (Type 2)
Symbol: 2
Common Uses: Milk bags, containers
PVC (Type 3)
Symbol: 3
Common Uses: Pipes, cables
LDPE (Type 4)
Symbol: 4
Common Uses: Carry bags, films
Banned Items
Includes 19 single-use plastic items (e.g., straws, cups) as per PWM Rules 2016
 
*19 single-use items* (e.g., straws, cups)
 
UPSC Relevance: Past Questions & Connections
Prelims 2024/2025: Tested plastic waste rules & pollution stats.
Mains Link:
GS III (Environment): Plastic pollution governance.
GS II (Int. Relations): UNEA negotiations & India’s role.
Data Points: Use 450MT production, 9.3MT India’s pollution, 3.4% GHG share.
 
Beyond the Treaty: Solutions in Focus
Global Action:
UNEA aims for 2025 treaty revival.
#BeatPlasticPollution: Push for circular economies.
🇮🇳 India’s Steps:
PWM Rules 2016/2021: Bans on single-use plastics.
National Dashboard: Track plastic waste flow (CPCB).
 
SEO Title Options
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#BeatPlasticPollution: Why UN Treaty Talks Failed in 2025
India’s 9.3MT Plastic Crisis: PWM Rules & Treaty Diplomacy
From Production Caps to Bans: Plastic Treaty Deadlock Explained
UPSC Environment Focus: Plastic Pollution Data & Policies
 
 
5 Sample Q&As for Exams
Q1. Which coalition advocated binding plastic production cuts at INC-5?
A: High Ambition Coalition (HAC).
Q2. India contributes ___ million tonnes to global plastic pollution annually.
A: 9.3 (Highest globally).
Q3. Which plastic type is used in water bottles (PWM Rules)?
A: PET (Symbol 1).
Q4. The PWM Rules 2021 banned how many single-use plastic items?
A: 19 categories.
Q5. Plastic production generates what percentage of global GHG emissions?
A: 3.4% (1.8B tonnes in 2019).