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.

India produces ~ 9.2 mnt of plastic pollution per year, making it the largest plastic burden in emission country in the world. Mitigation Measures - Supply side - R&D in alternative materials - cloth, bagasse, technical textile, strict enforcement of Extended Produces Responsibility CPPR & PIBOs can pool resources to establish common EPR pick-up centres, financial incentives to recycle packaging material. Demand side - raising awareness about the down-sides of excessive plastic use - medical, environmental, promoting use of durable materials & reducing use of SOP, plastic tax.

Govt Initiatives - Plastic Waste Management Rules, EPP for Produces, Importers & Brand Owners CPIBOs, ban on single-use plastic, participation in the UNEP Global Plastics Treaty. Plastic Pollution causes air, water & soil pollution. It is imperative to act on both demand & supply side to reduce it.