GUWAHATI: As per a study published in the journal Nature, India has now become the world’s largest plastic polluter.
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The study published on September 4, reveals that India releases 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, which accounts for about one-fifth of global plastic emissions. The report suggests that India's official waste generation figures, roughly 0.12 kilograms per capita per day, are likely underestimated, while waste collection rates are overestimated.
The study highlights several gaps in India's waste data, such as the exclusion of rural areas and the informal recycling sector, as well as the widespread practice of open burning of uncollected waste, which significantly contributes to plastic pollution.
Nigeria ranks second on the list with 3.5 Mt of plastic emissions, and Indonesia third with 3.4 Mt. China, previously identified as the top global polluter, now ranks fourth.
