The Himalayan region in India is facing a severe plastic pollution crisis, with over 80% of the waste coming from single-use food and beverage packaging. A recent report, The Himalayan Cleanup (THC) 2024 Report, highlights the alarming extent of plastic waste in the region, with 70% of the waste being non-recyclable and without any market value. The report, which audited waste at over 450 sites across nine Indian states and union territories, found that major polluting brands include instant noodles and energy drinks, such as Wai Wai, Mama, and Mimi, as well as PepsiCo’s Sting energy drink.
The report notes that Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Ladakh are among the worst-affected regions, with a large volume of non-recyclable plastic waste. Food packaging, particularly from instant noodles and energy drinks, accounts for over 90% of the plastic waste in these regions. The report also highlights that corporate claims about recycling are misleading, as most plastic waste collected is non-recyclable.
The THC 2024 Report makes several urgent policy recommendations, including an outright ban on multi-layered plastics, holding food and beverage brands accountable for the waste they generate, and banning the sale of junk food and energy drinks in school areas. The report also calls for mandatory front-of-package labeling and urges policymakers to move beyond recycling to adopt a ‘design out waste’ approach.
The report emphasizes the need for a robust and integrated policy framework to tackle the growing waste crisis across the Himalayan region. It recommends that rural and mountain local bodies be equipped with dedicated resources for waste management to enable effective, long-term solutions in these vulnerable regions. The report also notes that regional preferences for certain brands, such as Mountain Dew in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, and Sting in Sikkim and Darjeeling, highlight the need for targeted interventions to address the issue.
Overall, the THC 2024 Report highlights the critical need for immediate action to address the plastic pollution crisis in the Himalayan region. The report’s recommendations, if implemented, could lead to a significant reduction in plastic waste and help mitigate the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution in the region. It is essential that policymakers, corporations, and individuals work together to address this crisis and ensure a sustainable future for the Himalayan region.