Rising Plastic Waste and Government Measures to Tackle Pollution

India continues to generate significant volumes of plastic waste, with figures crossing 41 lakh tonnes annually in recent years, according to data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Plastic waste generation stood at over 41.26 lakh tonnes in 2020–21, dipped to 39.01 lakh tonnes in 2021–22, and rose again to 41.36 lakh tonnes in 2022–23. In Delhi alone, waste generation was estimated at around 3.45 lakh tonnes in 2020–21 and 3.77 lakh tonnes in 2021–22.

To curb plastic pollution, the government has enforced a ban on identified single-use plastic items since July 1, 2022. States and Union Territories have been conducting regular enforcement drives, covering markets, vendors, and manufacturing units. Since the ban, over 8.6 lakh inspections have been carried out, leading to the seizure of nearly 1,989 tonnes of banned plastic and penalties amounting to ₹19.83 crore.

The government has also strengthened its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for plastic packaging under the 2022 amendment rules. Currently, over 60,000 producers, importers, and brand owners, along with more than 3,000 plastic waste processors, are registered on the centralised EPR portal. Since the implementation of these guidelines, approximately 207 lakh tonnes of plastic packaging waste have been recycled.

To ensure compliance, the CPCB has issued multiple show-cause notices to entities failing to meet EPR targets or submit required annual returns.

In addition to regulatory measures, the government has launched awareness campaigns and innovation-driven initiatives. On World Environment Day 2025, celebrated under the theme “One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution,” nearly 69,000 events were held nationwide with participation from around 21 lakh people. A compendium listing nearly 1,000 manufacturers of eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics was also released.

Further initiatives include a national expo showcasing sustainable alternatives, participation from startups and recyclers, and the National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign (NPPRC), which ran from June to October 2025 under the Swachhta Hi Sewa programme. The campaign focused on reducing plastic usage in both urban and rural areas, including government offices.

This information was provided by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

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