Unsafe and unreliable urban drinking water is pushing households toward bottled water, increasing dependence on single-use plastics and exposing people to microplastics. India generates about 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with significant leakage into the environment due to collection gaps. At the same time, cities produce nearly 48,000 MLD of sewage, but only ~56% is effectively treated, allowing pollution to re-enter water sources and worsen water quality. The recycling system relies heavily on informal waste pickers who recover ~40% of recyclables, yet modern waste reforms often reduce their incomes and exclude them from formal systems, while sanitation workers continue to face hazardous conditions. The issue highlights a vicious cycle linking water insecurity, plastic pollution and invisible labour, underscoring the need for integrated, inclusive and infrastructure-led urban sustainability.
Click to View MoreTalks on a Global Plastics Treaty remain stalled as high-ambition countries seek caps on virgin plastic, while major producers favour waste-focused solutions. Disputes over chemicals and finance persist. Japan’s bridge-building role aims to break the deadlock amid worsening environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution.
Click to View MoreLakshadweep’s Plasticdweep crisis, marked by the Minicoy fire and 4,000 tonnes of unmanaged waste, threatens reefs with 66% plastic litter. This systemic failure endangers biodiversity, livelihoods, and tourism, exposing the urgent need for sustainable waste governance in the fragile archipelago.
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