India’s Stand on Plastic Alternatives in Global Plastic Talks

• India’s national stand against plastic waste and for alternative materials is contradicted during the ongoing UN-led Global Plastic Treaty negotiations in Busan.

• Despite encouraging the research, innovation, and development of sustainable alternatives and non-plastic substitutes, India will not support the “use” of these products, technologies, and services.

• India has pushed back against a suggestion by the Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to reduce the use of primary plastic polymers and associated chemicals of concern in plastic products.

• India’s submissions are not definitive and could change depending on the progress of the negotiations.

• The country stressed that any final agreement on addressing plastic pollution should not contravene other multilateral agreements, respect national priorities, capabilities, and priorities, and require developing countries to get financial and technical assistance.

• There is little clarity on whether sustainable alternatives to plastic exist, with little clarity on whether such plastic is actually degradable and whether compostable versions are being composted.

• An investigation by the Centre for Science and Environment estimates that since 2022, nearly 24 million tonnes of plastic packaging has been introduced into India with a mechanical recycling capacity of only 9.8 million tonnes.

• The INC-5 Chair, Luis Vayas Valdivieso, presented a reference document dealing with multiple dimensions of plastic waste, pollution, and curbing sources of production.