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Plastic Waste Management in India: Challenges, Opportunities, and Roadmap for Circular Economy

Author

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  • Rumana Hossain

    (Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology, SMaRT@UNSW, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Md Tasbirul Islam

    (Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology, SMaRT@UNSW, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Riya Shanker

    (Director’s Research Cell, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nehru Marg, Nagpur 440 020, India)

  • Debishree Khan

    (Director’s Research Cell, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nehru Marg, Nagpur 440 020, India)

  • Katherine Elizabeth Sarah Locock

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Manufacturing and Materials Precinct, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia)

  • Anirban Ghose

    (Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology, SMaRT@UNSW, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Heinz Schandl

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Black Mountain Science and Innovation Park, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Rita Dhodapkar

    (Director’s Research Cell, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nehru Marg, Nagpur 440 020, India)

  • Veena Sahajwalla

    (Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology, SMaRT@UNSW, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

Abstract

Plastic waste (PW) is one of the most rapid-growing waste streams in municipal solid waste all over the world. India has become a global player in the plastic value chain. Despite low consumption, domestic generation and imports create a significant burden on the overall waste management system, which requires in-depth understanding of the scenario and pathways that can mitigate the crisis. Although Indian researchers have widely researched technology-related issues in academic papers, a substantial knowledge gap exists in understanding the problem’s depth and possible solutions. This review article focuses on current plastic production, consumption, and waste generation in India. This review article mainly analyzes data and information regarding Indian PW management and highlights some critical issues such as reverse supply chain, effective PW management, source-specific recovery, and PW rules in India. Comprehensively, this review will help to identify implementable strategies for policymakers and research opportunities for future researchers in holistic PW management and recycling in India, focusing on the circular economy and sustainable development goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Rumana Hossain & Md Tasbirul Islam & Riya Shanker & Debishree Khan & Katherine Elizabeth Sarah Locock & Anirban Ghose & Heinz Schandl & Rita Dhodapkar & Veena Sahajwalla, 2022. "Plastic Waste Management in India: Challenges, Opportunities, and Roadmap for Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-34, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:8:p:4425-:d:789401
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. B. T. Ramesh & Javed Sayyad & Arunkumar Bongale & Anupkumar Bongale, 2022. "Extraction and Performance Analysis of Hydrocarbons from Waste Plastic Using the Pyrolysis Process," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Hridoy Roy & Samiha Raisa Alam & Rayhan Bin-Masud & Tonima Rahman Prantika & Md. Nahid Pervez & Md. Shahinoor Islam & Vincenzo Naddeo, 2022. "A Review on Characteristics, Techniques, and Waste-to-Energy Aspects of Municipal Solid Waste Management: Bangladesh Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-25, August.
    3. Gemechu Abdissa & Abebe Ayalew & Anna Dunay & Csaba Bálint Illés, 2022. "Role of Reverse Logistics Activities in the Recycling of Used Plastic Bottled Water Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-20, June.

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