NU officials pose for a photo during a programme on “Say No to Single-Use Plastics” held at Nagaland University on November 5.
Lumami, November 6 (MExN): Nagaland University (NU) organised a special programme on “Say No to Single-Use Plastics” on November 5 as part of the BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week (BSLW), being observed from November 1 to 7.
The programme was held at the Conference Hall of the Department of Environmental Science (EVS) and commenced with a welcome address by Dr Latonglila Jamir, Head of the Department of EVS and member of the Committee for MISSION LiFE.
This was followed by a brief introduction to the programme by Peter Ki, Public Relations Officer, who highlighted the alignment between India's 2026 BRICS Chairship, with its focus on sustainability, and the objectives of Mission LiFE.
Delivering a lecture, Dr Jamir discussed the origins and environmental impact of single-use plastics, attributing the growing crisis to the demand for convenience and the widespread use of disposable packaging and products that require no cleaning, storage or maintenance.
She pointed out that plastics designed for use over a few minutes can persist in the environment for centuries, creating serious ecological imbalances. Their toxic impacts extend across their entire life cycle, from petrochemical extraction and manufacturing to consumption and eventual waste disposal.
Tracing the historical development of plastic use, she said its consumption increased sharply in the early 1950s and expanded further through the 1990s. Although environmental awareness emerged during the 1960s and 1970s, followed by extensive research into the 2010s, effective bans gained momentum only after 2018.
She also outlined the seven main categories of plastics: polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and others.
Highlighting the scale of the problem, Dr Jamir said approximately 400 million metric tonnes of plastic waste are generated globally every year, with half comprising single-use items. The global recycling rate, she said, remains at around 9%.
Citing 2019 data for India, she stated that the country generates 9.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, of which 43% comprises single-use items such as packaging, straws and cutlery. At least 10,000 tonnes of waste remain uncollected every day.
She noted that although India ranks as the third-largest plastic polluter overall, its per capita generation of single-use plastic remains significantly lower than that of leading producers such as Singapore, which generates 76 kg per capita. India currently processes around 30% of its plastic waste, while enforcement of the national ban on certain single-use plastic items remains a challenge.
Explaining the reasons behind low recycling rates, Dr Jamir identified both operational and chemical barriers. Multilayered materials combining plastic with paper or cardboard make waste separation difficult, while the production of virgin plastic from raw petrochemicals remains considerably cheaper than recycling.
Food contamination also hampers recycling, making proper cleaning of containers before disposal important. On the chemical front, she explained that repeated reprocessing of synthetic polymers leads to degradation of polymer chains and loss of structural integrity, making high-quality recycling technically challenging.
Dr Jamir also cited international examples of successful waste management policies. Germany achieves a 65% plastic waste recycling rate and a 98% return rate for drink containers through its Pfand deposit-refund scheme. South Korea recycles approximately 58% of its plastic waste through a mandatory Pay-As-You-Throw system and strict waste segregation guidelines.
Sweden diverts 99% of household waste from landfills through advanced waste-to-energy facilities and also imports waste to operate these plants. Rwanda enforces a strict nationwide ban on non-biodegradable bags, supported by border inspections, while the United States relies on extended producer responsibility mandates.
Outlining possible solutions, Dr Jamir called for the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives such as cotton, jute, glass, stainless steel, bamboo and paper. She urged people to incorporate the 4R framework — Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle — into their daily lives.
