Earth Day, celebrated on April 22 every year, is a vital reminder of our collective responsibility towards the environment. It is a global phenomenon celebrated by over 193 countries for the environmental protection and sustainability and paved the way for landmark environmental legislation like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Its roots trace back nearly six decades to a burgeoning environmental consciousness, and a wave of student activism. Gaylord Nelson, a Wisconsin Democrat, USA, witnessed the power of student movements when billions of people especially students came out on the streets to demonstrate against war and leaders had to listen to them. The success of this movement encouraged leaders to raise public awareness about environmental issues and get the stakeholders on board. The impetus for actual action came in 1969 after Santa Barbara oil spill that had huge impact on the biodiversity. Senator Nelson proposed a national day to spread awareness on environmental issues and channelize the young minds to help in the process. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22nd, 1970. Since then, it started gaining broader public appeal as repercussions of the developmental projects on the environment started becoming visible.

This year, 22nd April 2024 we are celebrating Earth Day with the theme, “Planet vs Plastic”. The theme for the day is chosen by EarthDay.org after looking at the pressing environmental concerns, current events, and global trends or taking public suggestions into account. Plastic threat is looming large as we see it. Over the past 60 years, around eight billion tons of plastic have been produced, with a vast majority not being recycled. EarthDay.org advocates for a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040 and a complete elimination of single-use plastics by 2030. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India generates around 9.4 million tonnes of plastic waste annually; only around 30% of plastic waste gets recycled. Hospitals and medical facilities extensively utilize plastic for syringes, IV bags, PPE kits, packaging for medications, and various medical devices A study in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital waste, largely consisting of plastic, contributed to 87.4% of the extra plastic waste generated. Around 2600 tons of PET bottle waste is generated daily, or a staggering 949,000 tons annually. Plastic from kitchen, stationary, packaging, toys and gadgets, shops and other activities is also filling up at landfills and polluting the environment. The earth is saying “No” to the plastic and this calls for interventions at all levels.
Reducing plastic production and consumption by promoting sustainable alternatives such as biodegradable plastics, reusable containers, and packaging made from renewable materials like bamboo or paper is an important strategy to curb the menace. Improving waste management infrastructure, such as implementing recycling programs and investing in advanced recycling technologies like chemical recycling, can help increase recycling rates and reduce plastic waste. Implementing circular economy principles, such as designing products for recyclability and encouraging the use of recycled materials in manufacturing, can minimize the need for virgin plastic production. Combatting plastic pollution at its source through bans on single-use plastics, like plastic bags, straws, and utensils, as well as implementing bottle deposit schemes to incentivize recycling, are effective measures. Polluter pays and it taxed is another strategy that can adopted to change the behaviour of public. Enforcement of regulations, such as fines for littering and illegal dumping, and cleanup efforts, such as community beach cleanups and initiatives like The Ocean Cleanup project, can help remove existing plastic waste from the environment. Supporting innovation and research for alternative materials, such as plant-based plastics or edible packaging, and investing in projects to develop biodegradable packaging solutions, like compostable packaging for food products, are critical. Raising awareness through education campaigns fostering community engagement in local cleanup activities, like river cleanups or neighbourhood recycling drives, can empower individuals to act. By implementing these measures collectively, we can work towards a future where plastic pollution is significantly reduced, and the health of the planet is preserved.
Let us be catalysts of Change and make Earth Win War over Plastics this Earth Day.

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