Page 25 - Plastics News May 2024

ENVIRONMENT NEWS

attention to the financial interests involved, with industry representatives advocating for pushing for less restrictive meas-
ures on plastic production.

National Divides: A rift has developed between nations that support strict for production cuts and those resisting binding
commitments. Because of its position as a significant producer of oil and gas, the United States in particular came under
fire for prioritizing demand reduction above production.
Ambitious Targets: With the backing of environmental advocacy groups, several countries put up audacious goals such a
40% decrease in plastic manufacturing by 2040. Nevertheless, petrochemical-dependent sectors and significant plastic-
producing nations opposed these plans.

The discussion was on pressing concern in the Scientific and environmental field, including the microplastics, ecological
effects of plastics and their lifetime. Regarding the importance of global regulations and extended producer responsibility
(EPR), agreement was obtained.
Next Steps: With a focus on product design and chemical issues, negotiators decided to do official intersessional work to
improve the treaty's implementation measures. The last session of INC talks is expected to take place in Busan Korea in
November.
All in all, some regard this minor advancement as a compromise, while others see it as a move in the right direction. The
treaty's future is still being shaped by the conflict between economic interests and environmental imperatives; interested
parties are looking for a solution that strikes a balance between ecological sustainability and the realities of global econo-
my. With the backing of environmental advocacy groups, several countries put up audacious goals such a 40% decrease
in plastic manufacturing by 2040. Nevertheless, petrochemical-dependent sectors and significant plastic-producing na-
tions opposed these plans.

Source:- https://www.envirotech-online.com/news/microplastics-analysis/106/international-environmental-technology/
what-was-agreed-at-latest-negotiations-for-global-plastic-treaty/62576

Nearly 20,000,000 kg waste collected in a year: How these Mumbai-based founders are tackling the city's
waste problem

he founders of ViaGreen in Mumbai, Akshay Surana and Nikunj Jaisalmeria, came out to solve the waste
management issues facing the city. They faced several challenges beginning in 2015, including early business
model failures. But they persisted because of their desire to change things. When the Municipal Solid Waste
Management (MSW) guidelines were introduced in 2016, they took advantage of the opportunity to require
trash segregation at the home level. ViaGreen began by assisting housing societies and companies with waste
segregation, recognizing the lack of public awareness and understanding of waste management. They provided solutions
and services to facilitate waste segregation, ultimately collecting and recycling approximately 59,000 kg of waste per day.
Their innovative approach includes distributing bags with QR codes to track waste generation and segregation, leading
to the collection and recycling of nearly two crores of
garbage annually.
Through their initiative, ViaGreen goal is to solve the
problem of obtaining segregated waste volumes for
municipalities, enabling more effective waste manage-
ment strategies. Additionally, they have also expanded
their efforts beyond housing societies and companies
to include beach and mangrove cleanups, recycling old
clothes and materials, and providing job opportunities
to ragpickers. The founders highlight the importance
of individual actions in addressing the waste problem,
urging people to reconsider their consumption habits

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