Multilayer plastic waste management in India : suggestions to improve the implemented extended producers responsibility on multilayer packaging, challenges, and opportunities | |
| Author | Thorbole, Anirudh Hanamant |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.MPA-22-05 |
| Subject(s) | Plastic scrap--India|xManagement Plastics in packaging--India |
| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Marine Plastics Abatement |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Multi-Layered Plastics (MLP) has become one of the favorite packaging materials in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) in India due to its advantages over traditional packaging materials like Glass, Metal and PET. Though, these MLPs are mostly used once and discarded, making them single-use plastics. Also, MLP’s are very difficult to recycle because of various layers for safety of food with different properties, also due the adhesives used for bonding them together. Even though they can recycle, the cost of recyclates are too high, making them not much financially viable or sustainable in business terminology. Because of the low recycling rate for MLP most of this waste remains uncollected by informal sector. This is also because there are no proper technology available to recycle it and make it a viable business. To understand the current scenario, multiple stakeholders were interviewed based on the knowledge gaps found in the literature review. The methodology consists, collection of Secondary data from literature review and Primary data from the interviews by the industry experts, policymakers, already existing recyclers, NGOs, academia and new start-ups. In total 9 interviews were considered for final assessment of data represented in this study. The output of this study illustrates the knowledge gaps in current management system of the MLP waste in India. The challenges are clearly mentioned such as small scathes, recycling technologies, and awareness policies related to issues, opportunities for the growth of MLP packaging, and suggestions on newly implemented Extender Producers Responsibility policies for plastic packaging. This information is interpreted based on the interviews from the professional in the MLP waste management stakeholders hierarchy. Per capita MLP consumption is evaluated based on the data received during the field visits and data collection drive, along with data interpretation for the authenticity of the data. Additionally, the gaps in the current recycling technologies are highlighted. Based on the findings from this research study, recommendations such as converting MLP waste as fuel for Waste-to Energy plant is the most viable option considering the waste composition of India’s waste generation. Research and Development for designing packaging in a way that it can be recycled or finding alternate packaging material. These few suggested infrastructural and capacity development must be incorporated with the recycling technologies which are indigenously developed in an innovative way to create a business around it. |
| Year | 2022 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Marine Plastic Abatement (MPA) |
| Chairperson(s) | Chettiyappan Visvanathan |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ekbordin Winijkul;Atitaya Panuvatvanich |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan |
| Degree | Research studies project report (M.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2022 |