Fourth meeting of Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) held in Ottawa, Canada on UN Plastics Treaty | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Fourth meeting of Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) held in Ottawa, Canada on UN Plastics Treaty

Posted 23 Apr 2024

2 min read

  • United Nations Environment Assembly adopted a resolution in 2022, mandating the creation of an INC to develop a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution across its life cycle.

 

  • About Plastic Pollution
    • Annual plastic production has doubled from 234 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2000 to 460 MMT in 2019 and is set to reach 1,261 MMT by 2060.
    • China (32%) has evolved as a hub for plastic manufacturing in 2022.
    • India ranked third globally, contributing 5.5 million tonnes of single-use plastic (SUP) waste per capita single-use plastic waste of 4 kg per year.

 

  • Initiatives to combat plastic pollution
    • Global
      • Basel Convention: To regulate movement and disposal of hazardous waste, including plastic waste.
      • Global Partnership on Marine Litter: To share knowledge and coordinate effort to reduce marine litter.
    • India
      • Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016: Mandate implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) by producers, importers, and brand owners. EPR was introduced as an important feature in E-waste (management & handling), Rules 2011.
      • Ban on SUP products, including plastic bags, straws, cups, and plates.
      • Campaigns like "Beat Plastic Pollution" and "Plastic-Free India".

 

Chemicals used in plastics and its human impact

  • Vinyl chloride monomer in liquid and vapour form increases risk of liver and brain cancer.
  • Benzene and butadiene cause leukemias and lymphomas.
  • Styrene is neurotoxic and a possible human carcinogen.

 

  • Tags :
  • Plastic Pollution
  • Initiatives to combat plastic pollution
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