Modi-led India becomes world's largest plastic polluter

A study published by the University of Leeds revealed that India has become the world's largest source of plastic pollution, surpassing major polluting countries like China, Nigeria, and Indonesia.

The research found that Narendra Modi's country generates a staggering 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, contributing massively to the global plastic pollution crisis.

The study highlighted that 57 million tons of plastic are produced annually worldwide, with India accounting for approximately 16 percent of global plastic waste. 

The report also noted that 255 million people, equivalent to 15 percent of the world's population, including India, live in areas with inadequate waste management systems.

India's plastic emissions, defined as materials transitioning from managed to unmanaged systems, have exceeded those of Nigeria and Indonesia, which hold the second and third positions with 3.5 Mt and 3.4 Mt, respectively.

The research suggested that India's official waste generation rate of 0.12 kilograms per capita per day may be underestimated as it potentially excluded data from rural areas, open burning of uncollected waste, and informal sector recycling. 

The discrepancy may lead to inflated waste collection figures, masking the true extent of India's plastic pollution problem.

The study's findings highlighted the urgent need for effective waste management strategies and policies to address India's plastic pollution crisis and mitigate its environmental impacts.