Surging momentum in global efforts to address plastic pollution: UN report

The United Nations Environment today unveiled its report on the state of plastic pollution in 2018 and noted that there was "a surging momentum in global efforts to address plastic pollution".

Among the key findings, the report states that government levies and bans -- where properly planned and enforced -- have been among the most effective strategies to limit overuse of disposable plastic products.

The report, which analyses the efforts of the various state governments in India to tackle plastic pollution, stated that the impact of the ban on disposable plastic in New Delhi, which came into force from January 1 last year, was limited because of poor enforcement.

The report, titled Single-use Plastics: A roadmap for Sustainability, was developed in cooperation with the Centre and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It presents case studies from more than 60 countries, a statement from the body said.

The report was launched in the national capital today on the occasion of World Environment Day.

The report recommends specific actions policy-makers can take to improve waste management, promote eco-friendly alternatives, educate consumers, enable voluntary reduction strategies and successfully implement bans or levies on the use and sale of single-use plastics, the statement said.

However, the report states that broader cooperation is needed from business and private sector stakeholders for adoption of a more circular economy approach to plastic production and consumption.

India was the global host of this year's World Environment Day celebrations, the largest UN-led celebration on environment. The theme for this edition is 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.