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By:

Dr. Sanjay Joshi

31 August 2024 at 3:05:29 pm

India: The Largest Source of Plastic Pollution Worldwide

So, dear readers, now that we have learnt how and why waste plastic causes pollution, let us look a little deeper into this problem, which has grown out of proportion both globally and locally. Plastic pollution is no longer a distant issue; it has become a serious and immediate threat to our environment. According to the latest data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and several international researchers, over 460...

India: The Largest Source of Plastic Pollution Worldwide

So, dear readers, now that we have learnt how and why waste plastic causes pollution, let us look a little deeper into this problem, which has grown out of proportion both globally and locally. Plastic pollution is no longer a distant issue; it has become a serious and immediate threat to our environment. According to the latest data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and several international researchers, over 460 million metric tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide every year. This plastic is used in a wide range of applications, many of which are short-lived and quickly discarded. From this, an estimated 20–23 million metric tonnes of plastic waste end up in the environment annually. This figure is expected to increase sharply by 2040 if strong measures are not taken. Plastic litter is now found everywhere—on land, in rivers, in oceans, and even in the air as microplastics. Although plastic pollution is a global problem, Mera Mahan Bharat is sadly at the forefront of this crisis. A recent paper published in Nature states that India has become the world’s largest contributor to plastic pollution, accounting for nearly 20% of the total global plastic waste. India generates about 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. This is more than the waste produced by many regions. Of this, nearly 3.5 million tonnes are improperly discarded and mismanaged, meaning they are neither collected nor scientifically processed. Plastic waste in India has been rising at an alarming rate due to rapid urbanisation, population growth, and economic development. In cities, the demand for single-use plastics and packaging materials has increased drastically, driven by convenience and changing lifestyles. India’s per capita plastic consumption has reached around 11 kg per year and is expected to grow further with increasing industrialisation and consumerism. This trend places enormous pressure on our already overburdened waste management systems. The major factors responsible for the sharp increase in plastic pollution in India are as follows. Single-Use Plastics Single-use plastics, such as polythene carry bags, straws, disposable cutlery, cups, and packaging materials, form a large share of India’s plastic waste. Despite regulatory bans and restrictions, nearly 43% of the country’s total plastic waste still comes from single-use plastics. This clearly shows that the problem lies not only in policy-making but also in enforcement and implementation. The continued dominance of single-use plastics is largely due to weak monitoring and the lack of affordable, easily available alternatives. Many small vendors, shopkeepers, and consumers still find plastic to be the cheapest and most convenient option for daily use. Although the government introduced a ban on selected single-use plastic items in 2022, its impact on the ground has been limited. These products are still widely manufactured, sold, and used because they are inexpensive, lightweight, and readily available in local markets, making the ban difficult to enforce consistently. Open Burning and Landfilling: About 5.8 million tonnes of plastic waste are openly burnt across India every year, mainly in rural areas and urban slums. This practice is extremely dangerous, as it not only worsens air pollution but also releases highly toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. These pollutants directly harm local communities and add to climate change. In addition, nearly 30% of total plastic waste is dumped in uncontrolled landfills. Such sites are not scientifically managed, allowing harmful chemicals to seep into the soil and nearby water bodies. Over time, this contaminates groundwater, damages ecosystems, and poses serious risks to human and animal life. During the winter months, it is common to see people collecting wood and dry leaf litter from the streets, lighting small fires, and sitting around them for warmth. However, plastic bottles, wrappers, and polythene bags often get mixed in and are burnt along with the leaves. Most people are unaware that they are not only polluting the environment but also inhaling toxic fumes from very close distances. The smoke from burning plastic contains harmful substances that can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, skin issues, and even long-term diseases such as cancer. Open burning of plastic is therefore one of the most hazardous practices for human health and environmental safety. Besides these factors, inefficient waste management infrastructure, discrepancies in data reporting, and heavy dependence on informal waste handling systems further worsen the problem. We will explore these issues in greater detail next week. Till then, have a good weekend! (The author is an environmentalist. Views Personal.)

The Hidden Cost of Greed

In the world of business, money often becomes the most visible measure of success. Profits, revenues, and reimbursements dominate conversations. Yet, there is a subtler, far more powerful currency that shapes whether people want to work with you, trust you, or follow you: your reputation.


Consider this scenario. You’re offered the liberty to claim expenses — maybe as a senior executive in an organization or as a business owner working with a client who reimburses certain costs. The process is straightforward: submit your bills and get your money back. But somewhere along the way, temptation creeps in. You claim a little extra. Maybe you round up the numbers, or maybe you include something you technically didn’t spend on.


It may feel harmless — after all, “everyone does it.” But here’s the truth: every inflated claim, every unnecessary grab, chips away at your personal brand.


Why? Because your personal brand is not built only on stage or in the boardroom. It is forged in the choices you make when no one is watching.


For leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs, this truth carries even greater weight. People aren’t just observing what you achieve — they are observing how you achieve it. The employees who look up to you, the clients who invest in you, and the partners who place their trust in you are constantly forming silent judgments.


When they sense integrity, fairness, and restraint, they are drawn to you. They feel safe aligning with you. But when they see greed, shortcuts, or a sense of entitlement, it creates a ripple effect of doubt. They may not call it out immediately, but the story of who you are begins to shift. And that shift can cost you far more than a few extra reimbursements. It can cost you loyalty, respect, and influence.


This is the invisible economy of personal branding. The numbers you claim may boost your short-term balance sheet, but the impression you leave will define your long-term legacy. And in today’s world, legacy is the true measure of leadership.


Business is built on trust. Contracts, negotiations, and deals may look like transactions, but at their heart, they are acts of faith. A client who sees you stretching claims will wonder: Will they stretch promises too? An employee who watches you claim unnecessarily will ask: If my leader takes more than needed, why should I give my best?


These unspoken questions erode credibility, and credibility once lost is almost impossible to rebuild.


That is why the most successful leaders understand that restraint is not weakness; it is strength. Saying, “No, this isn’t necessary to claim,” or “I’ll only submit what I truly spent,” may seem small, but these actions accumulate into a reputation of trustworthiness. And trust is the foundation upon which influence, opportunities, and wealth are truly built.


Personal branding, at its core, is not about image — it is about alignment. It is about ensuring that your actions, words, and values tell the same story, whether in public or in private. For business owners and founders, this alignment becomes your differentiator. Skills and products can be copied. Integrity cannot.


In a competitive market where everyone is fighting for attention, it’s easy to believe that bold strategies or aggressive moves will set you apart. But often, it is the quiet, consistent choices that build the most enduring brands. The leader who doesn’t take advantage of loopholes. The entrepreneur who honours every rupee as if it were their own. The founder who inspires others not just with vision, but with character.


When you operate this way, you don’t just make money — you make meaning. And people remember those who create meaning far longer than those who chase margins.


So the next time you’re faced with the option to claim more than you need, pause. Ask yourself: What story is this action writing about me?


Because at the end of the day, your reputation is your greatest ROI. And unlike money, once lost, it cannot be reimbursed.


And if you are a business owner or founder who wants to ensure your story reflects integrity, trust, and lasting influence, investing in building a strong personal brand may be the most valuable decision you ever make. Wish to know more? Then let’s connect



(The author is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+ countries.

Views personal.)

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