Plastic Footprints Leaving A Legacy We Never Wanted

Plastic Footprints Leaving A Legacy We Never Wanted

Plastic Footprints: Leaving a Legacy We Never Wanted

Have you ever ordered food online and received it in a plastic container? Or perhaps you forgot to carry a bag to the market and ended up using a plastic one instead? Once used, what did you do with that plastic container or bag? Most likely, you tossed it into the garbage or a dustbin bag. But then what? Have you ever wondered where that plastic ended up? And did you know that, by that causal action, you added to the global problem of plastic pollution?

It is reported that, by 2050, there could be more plastics in the ocean than fish. Every time you discard a plastic material, be it a bottle, bag, or a wrapper, etc., somewhere it is finding its way into the oceans. Approximately, eight million pieces of plastic are swept into seas every single day. It is more like dumping load of a garbage truck into the ocean every minute. So, by the end of the year, this adds up to a staggering 12 million tonnes. The pollution is not only limited to the ocean, it has harmful effect on wildlife, human health, and whole ecosystem.

The scale of harm is heartbreaking. More than one lakh of marine mammals and turtles along with a million seabirds die due to plastic ingestion or entanglement. Recently, a group of scientists estimated that more than 5 trillion of plastic pieces are floating in oceans. Plastics not only harm the marine life but also enters in our body as micro/nanoplastics (tiny pieces of plastic of a size comparable to bacterias). These microplastics contaminate the food, water and air which has a potential to cause severe health issues in humans.

Therefore, battling against the plastic pollution is no more optional. To tackle plastic pollution for the survival of ecosystem and for safeguarding human health, global initiatives like “Ending Plastic Pollution”, “Plastic-Free July” and “Plastic Bag-free day” has been launched to encourage people to think about plastic consumption and take meaningful actions.

A timely call: Ending plastic pollution

Keeping in mind the immediate and long-term harmful effects of plastic, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has chosen "Ending Plastic Pollution" as the theme for World Environment Day 2025 (5th June). This is a strong and powerful reminder that the fight against plastic must begin now, and everyone must come together. UNEP has emphasized that individuals, industries, and governments, all need to rethink plastic usage, reduce dependency on single-use plastics, and transition toward sustainable alternatives. The theme is very timely and it strongly resonates with India’s initiatives to tackle plastic pollutions.

The Global Effort: Plastic-Free July and Plastic Bag-Free Day

Launched by the Plastic Free July movement by Plastic Free Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Australia, Plastic-Free July challenges individuals and organizations to go plastic-free for a whole month. The motto of the movement is not to single-use plastics like bags, straws, bottles, and packaging. This movement also encourages to find sustainable alternatives of plastics. Though it started as a small Australian initiative, it has now expanded into global movement.

Celebrated every year on July 3rd, International Plastic Bag-Free Day that mainly focuses the environmental pollution caused by plastic bags. Some countries have already taken the initiative and led the way. Rwanda banned plastic bags completely in 2008, becoming one of the cleanest countries in Africa. Also, Kenya imposes strict policy regarding plastic bag bans, with heavy fines and even jail time for violations. International Plastic Bag-Free Day inspires individuals and businesses to rethink, refuse, and replace plastic bags with reusable alternatives.

Movements like Plastic-Free July and Plastic Bag-Free Day are more than short-term campaigns. These movements are fuelling a global cultural shift. More people are becoming conscious consumers, pushing industries and governments to prioritize sustainability. Governments worldwide are taking initiatives. The European Union has banned certain single-use plastics, and many nations are following suit.

The Plastic Alternatives

It cannot be denied the fact that plastic is deeply intertwined with our daily lives. Therefore, if we want to reduce plastic usage, we must seriously think about alternatives. Several innovative solutions are emerging worldwide to tackle plastic pollution with eco-friendly alternatives.

Biodegradable, compostable, and even edible packaging from seaweed (marine plants and algae) have been developed by innovators in UK and Indonesia. The food and beverage industries are rapidly switching to these sustainable materials to replace single-use plastics. USA-based company has developed mushroom-based packaging process using mycelium, the root structure of fungi to produce packaging that replaces Styrofoam. Major tech giant companies have started using these biodegradable materials.

Bioplastics are potential alternatives to the petroleum-based plastics. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are natural bioplastics which is produced through bacterial fermentation of plant oils or organic waste. They break down easily in soil, freshwater, and marine environments. US and UK-based companies are producing bioplastics on a large scale as an alternative to plastics.

An Australian startup is developing biodegradable packaging from crustacean skeletons. Their materials are allergy-free, marine biodegradable, suitable for food packaging, and fully break down within 90 days.

Researchers at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) have developed agricultural waste based biodegradable products such as plates, cups, cutleries, etc. Also, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI) innovated bran and resultant atta based biodegradable and edible plates as alternative of plastic plates. These innovations promote renewable resources and reduce dependence on fossil fuel-based plastics. On a smaller scale, individuals can contribute using cloth, jute, or canvas bags instead of plastic bags. Stainless steel, glass, or bamboo straws can also be used as replacements for single-use plastic straws. Using compostable packaging made from cornstarch or sugarcane pulp can significantly reduce plastic waste. Several industries are exploring alternatives to plastic, with different options including bioplastics, glass, cardboard, and natural fibers like bamboo, jute, and hemp.

CSIR, India is actively contributing to India's bioplastic and biodegradable materials research. CSIR is actively developing bioplastics from renewable sources like agricultural waste and non-edible plants. CSIR Labs like National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) and Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) are creating biodegradable packaging films and natural polymers. CSIR is also using bacteria to produce eco-friendly plastics PHAs. Several national research institutes are playing an important role to address plastic pollution problem through recycling plastics. Recently, researchers in CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) have developed a technology to convert waste plastic into high-quality diesel. Similarly, the researcher in CSIR-NCL is actively working in plastic pelletization, a process that converts plastic waste into reusable pellets. Also, institutes like CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI) and CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI) are working on plastic sorting technologies, which are essential for effective separation and recycling of mixed plastic waste.

In addition to CSIR’s scientific efforts, India has launched multiple initiatives to combat plastic pollution. The Plastic Waste Management Rules (amended in 2022) banned single-use plastics and mandated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), holding manufacturers accountable for post-consumer plastic waste. The Swachh Bharat Mission actively promotes awareness and action on plastic waste segregation and recycling. States like Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh have pioneered plastic bans and encouraged the use of biodegradable alternatives.

A Call to Action

Plastic pollution is a global crisis, but it’s also a crisis we have the power to solve together with collective effort. Every small change, every reusable bag, and every conscious decision matters. Join the movement! Pledge to reduce your plastic use this July. Skip that plastic bag on July 3rd. Inspire others around you.

Dr. Sudip Karmakar, SCDD, CSIR   
Email: sudip.k@csir.res.in