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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