May 10 2025.
Introduction:
The Himalayan region of India faces a severe plastic pollution crisis. A recent report marks that over 80 per cent of plastic waste originates from single-use food and beverage packaging. Alarmingly, 70 per cent of this waste is non-recyclable. The findings are based on The Himalayan Cleanup (THC) 2024 Report, which includes data from extensive audits conducted since 2018. Zero Waste Himalaya (based in Gangtok, Sikkim) and Integrated Mountain Initiative (based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand) are key organisations spearheading this movement. These groups organise The Himalayan Cleanup (THC), a large-scale plastic waste audit held annually since 2018.
Key Findings of the THC 2024 Report
Dominance of Single-use Packaging:
- Over 84% of plastic waste in the Himalayan region comprises single-use food and beverage packaging.
Non-recyclable Plastic Issue:
- 70% of the plastic waste collected from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh is non-recyclable and lacks market value, primarily multilayered packaging and tetrapaks.
Policy Failure in Mountain Ecosystems:
- Current waste management policies are inadequate for the unique challenges of fragile mountain environments.
- Emphasis was placed on the need for mountain-sensitive policies and decentralised waste systems.
Lack of Waste Collection Systems:
- Non-recyclable plastics are not collected by waste pickers or scrap dealers, leading to landscape litter, clogged waterways, and landfill overflow.
State-wise Waste Generation (2025 Audit):
- Sikkim topped with 53,814 pieces (44% of total waste) audited across 86 sites. 87% of these were plastic, with food packaging accounting for up to 92% in certain areas.
- Darjeeling (West Bengal) followed with 36,180 items from 37 sites. Ladakh, Nagaland, and Uttarakhand were next in line.
- In Darjeeling and Kalimpong, 95.5 per cent of the collected waste was plastic. In Ladakh, 93.3 per cent of the waste was plastic, with 75.8 per cent being non-recyclable.
- Uttarakhand and Nagaland also reported high percentages of plastic waste related to food packaging.
- Even Arunachal Pradesh, with lower overall waste, showed that 99.6 per cent of its plastic waste was linked to food packaging.
Nature of Plastic Waste
- Out of 1,21,739 trash pieces collected, 1,06,857 were plastic, mostly single-use.
- Categorised into: Food packaging, household products, personal care items, smoking materials, packing materials, and others.
Major Polluting Brands
- The THC report identifies several brands as polluters. Instant noodles brands like Wai Wai and Maggi are prevalent across the region.
- PepsiCo’s Sting energy drink is particularly problematic, with a notable increase in its waste contribution.
- Other common items include snack wrappers and juice containers, indicating a broader trend in consumer habits.
Recommendations
- The report emphasises that the Himalayan waste crisis is a production and system issue, not just a post-consumer behaviour problem.
- It urges enforcement of producer responsibility and a paradigm shift away from centralised waste systems.
- The report advocates looking beyond the recycling model, promoting local, traditional, and sustainable waste solutions.
- Integrated policies are critical to address waste, climate change, biodiversity, and food security.
- Report advocates for an outright ban on multi-layered plastics. It urges accountability from food and beverage brands for the waste they generate.
- Additionally, it recommends banning junk food sales near schools and implementing mandatory labelling on packaging.
- A shift towards a ‘design out waste’ approach is essential for reducing environmental impact.
- The report stresses the need for enhanced waste management resources for rural and mountain communities.
- Effective long-term solutions must be tailored to the unique challenges these regions face. By equipping local bodies with necessary tools, the Himalayan region can better combat the plastic pollution crisis.