False solutions, green washing may put dampner on historic global plastic treaty

The real fight now is to develop a treaty without the negative influence of the conglomerates.

NGT panel finds 12 illegal dumping sites for gasifier wastewater in Morbi

Of 952 industries in Morbi, gasifiers were found in 568 ceramic industries, which would have discharged an estimated 2160 m3 wastewater …

India's waste problem

Down To Earth photographer Vikas Choudhary visits the Bhalswa landfill, a symptom of the country's fast-filling dumping grounds and inefficient …

Reporting losses

The Ranganath Misra Committee's report on managing plastic waste is out. Will it fail to deliver like the earlier National Plastics Waste …

14 km from Pune, its footprint

Win against waste colonialism: US group pledges restorative action after taking back ‘harmful’ report

A 2015 report by US-based Ocean Conservancy blamed 5 Asian countries for plastic waste

Passing the muck

Vehicle manufacturers conveniently outsource most of their polluting processes

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (January 17, 2023)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal 

Swamped

The convoluted laws of the country fail to tackle the menace caused by the exponentially growing and powerful plastic industry in India

Thumbs down

SBM 2.0 focussed on ODF sustainability: Govt

Swachh Bharat Mission has been one of the key missions of Narendra Modi-led government since its launch in 2014. It aims to make India Open …

Dirty states

Only five states generate more than 63 per cent of the total wastewater in India as they lack treatment facilities, says a recent study

Brinksman

As Le Clemenceau bobs on the horizon, reactions in India get sharper, noisier. We've discovered occupational safety. Asbestos is used in …

Ban toxic imports: court

Supreme Court wants hazardous waste rules aligned with Basel Convention

Dioxin dilemma

Sikkim to delegate powers to local people to protect lakes

EPCA chief pulls up Panipat officials for violating solid waste norms

A large number of illegal industries operate in Panipat; solid waste management is a major environmental concern 

New e-waste draft rules promise a broader scope

The 2015 rules boast of clarity and lay down the responsibilities of various stakeholders in clear terms

A mixed bag

The Bangladesh government sends thin plastic bags packing, but has Dhaka seen the last of them? Pinaki Roy on the ban's efficacy

After fire outbreaks, Ghazipur landfill has a new concern — research finds its layers are heating up

These elevated temperatures in dumpsite can alter gas composition, worsen odours and leachate seeps

Take waste out of water

We cannot manage our rivers sustainably unless we fix our waste management system

Lignin from agro waste helps make useful nanocomposites

Lignin is a complex organic polymer rich in polyphenols with antimicrobial qualities

Waste power

Biodegradable plastic

Trash power