Title: Plastics waste management and resource recovery in India

Authors: Tirthankar Banerjee; Rajeev K. Srivastava

Addresses: Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India ' Department of Environmental Sciences, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, US Nagar, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract: Exponential growth in plastic production and consumption has evoked concerns for its effective management. Within a decade, India has witnessed a substantial growth of 890% and 340% in plastic production and per capita consumption, respectively. Plastic recycling industries have mushroomed autonomously and accounts for 47% of annual recycling. Further, unscientific collection, transportation, uncontrolled disposal of plastic waste has grave environmental implications. This paper reviews contemporary research done on the integrated management of plastic waste and also considers the potential options available for optimum resource recovery. Other innovative waste management technologies are also considered to find out their adaptability under Indian circumstances.

Keywords: energy recovery; fuel recovery; plastics waste; resource recovery; India; plastic recycling; waste management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2012.048153

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2012 Vol.10 No.1, pp.90 - 111

Published online: 13 Dec 2014 *

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