From Delhi’s clogged drains to Mumbai’s filthy beaches, from Himalayan trekking trails to the holy ghats of Varanasi, plastic is everywhere—poisoning soil, choking rivers, killing cattle, and defiling sacred shrines.

Mountains, once pristine, now resemble dumping yards, while temple lakes overflow with plastic garlands and bottles. Beaches glisten not with shells but discarded wrappers. The toxic legacy of single-use plastic has crept into food chains, air, and even human bloodstreams. India’s urban clusters and sacred landscapes alike stand buried under layers of indestructible waste, threatening health, heritage, and the very sanctity of nature.

Read in Hindi: भारत को लगातार जकड़े जा रहा है प्लास्टिक

The recent failure of the global plastic pollution treaty talks in Geneva, involving 185 countries, has cast a harsh spotlight on the escalating crisis of plastic pollution, particularly in nations like India, where the problem is both acute and complex. Despite six rounds of negotiations over three years, the talks have yielded no consensus, with a large bloc pushing for bold measures like curbing plastic production and a smaller group prioritising waste management. This stalemate leaves countries like India, grappling with millions of tons of plastic waste, in a precarious position, as marine life and ecosystems bear the brunt of inaction.

Environmentalist Dr Devashish Bhattacharya says, "India, with its vast population and rapid urbanisation, generates approximately 26,000 tons of plastic waste daily, much of which is mismanaged, ending up in landfills, rivers, and oceans. The country’s 7,500-kilometre coastline makes it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of plastic pollution, with microplastics infiltrating marine ecosystems, devastating fisheries, and threatening food security. Studies estimate that India contributes significantly to the eight million metric tons of plastic entering the oceans annually, choking marine life and disrupting fragile aquatic ecosystems. From the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal, marine species like turtles, fish, and seabirds are increasingly found entangled in plastic debris or with stomachs full of indigestible waste."

According to public commentator Prof Paras Nath Choudhary, "The global treaty’s failure reflects a deeper divide in addressing this crisis. Proponents of production cuts argue that the root cause—overproduction of single-use plastics—must be tackled to stem the tide. India, a major producer and consumer of such plastics, faces pressure to align with this approach. However, domestic realities complicate this. The plastic industry employs millions, and affordable alternatives to single-use plastics remain limited for India’s price-sensitive market."

The opposing focus on waste management, favoured by some countries, resonates with India’s ongoing efforts, such as the Swachh Bharat Mission and bans on certain single-use plastics. Yet, these measures are hampered by inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent enforcement, and a lack of scalable recycling systems. Only about 60 per cent of India’s plastic waste is collected for recycling, with the rest clogging waterways or piling up in informal dumps, adds river activist Padmini Iyer.

The Geneva talks’ collapse underscores the need for India to take unilateral action while global consensus lags. Strengthening waste segregation at the source, investing in advanced recycling technologies, and scaling up biodegradable alternatives are critical steps. Public awareness campaigns, like those promoting cloth bags, have shown promise but need broader reach. Coastal cleanups, while symbolic, are insufficient without systemic change. India’s informal waste pickers, who handle a significant portion of recycling, must be integrated into formal systems with better wages and protections, says social activist Mukta Gupta of Mysore.

The environmental toll is undeniable. Plastic pollution disrupts India’s marine biodiversity, with microplastics detected in fish consumed by millions, posing health risks. Economically, it threatens tourism and fishing industries, which support coastal communities. The global stalemate may persist, but India cannot afford to wait. A balanced approach—reducing plastic production while bolstering waste management—could position India as a leader in tackling this crisis, even as the world struggles to find common ground. Without action, the oceans and India’s future will pay an unbearable price.