The year 2022 saw steps being taken to tackle the menace of waste — produced by humans in all forms — plaguing the planet. But the world still has a long way to go before it can put efficiently dispose its waste. Here is a selection of stories by Down To Earth on some of the major developments in the waste sector in 2022 across India and abroad.
A warning for Delhi was sounded. If the current trend of dumping fresh waste continues, Delhi will have to deal with an additional 1 crore tonnes of waste in another 5 years, along with the existing 2.8 crore tonnes, wrote Richa Singh from the Centre for Science and Environment.
Down To Earth’s reporters uncovered how the collection and recycling processes for polyester in Panipat and Delhi were informal to a large extent, leading to lethal plastic pollution.
Hoarding of small, unused, dead or broken plug-in and battery-operated products was the focus of this year’s 5th annual International E-Waste Day October 14. One out of every six electronic products in an average European household is hoarded, a survey found.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in an order, slapped a compensation of Rs 3,800 crore on the Telangana government for its failure in the management of solid waste and sewage. This is the biggest fine ever imposed by the NGT for waste disposal.
Most Indian villages do not have any waste management infrastructure, a study released by non-profit Pratham Education Foundation September 18, 2022, said.
India’s ban on select single-use plastic items came into effect from July 1, 2022. But several items that fell within Centre’s definition of single-use plastic were not included.
Chhattisgarh’s plan to purchase cow dung to boost the rural economy, ensure clean villages and solve its stray cattle problem saw initial success, but things did not go as per plan.
The world passed 14 resolutions at the resumed session of the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly, held in Nairobi, Kenya, between February 28 and March 2, 2022.