Reimagining plastic: How India is turning crisis into innovation

India Today

2 days ago

Plastic is everywhere—wrapped around our food, lining our rivers, drifting through our oceans, and now even flowing in our bloodstreams. Once celebrated for its convenience, plastic has become a symbol of crisis. As we mark World Environment Day under the theme 'Beat Plastic Pollution,' the global conversation is no longer just about awareness—it's about responsibility and reinvention.India Today spoke with Bharat Dhawan, Managing Partner, Forvis Mazars India, to understand how the country can turn this environmental challenge into a platform for innovation and sustainable growth.advertisementTHE SCALE OF CRISISGlobally, over 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, with less than 10% recycled. The rest pollutes our land, water, and air. In India, per capita plastic consumption is around 11 kg, and the country generates 5.5 million tonnes of single-use plastic waste annually.
'Plastic bans are not just about elimination,' says Dhawan. 'They should be seen as the beginning of a new mindset—where businesses innovate and societies rethink consumption.'TURNING POLICY INTO PROGRESSIndia's 2022 ban on select single-use plastic items was a major move. Tamil Nadu had already taken the lead in 2019. These policies didn't just reduce litter—they sparked new businesses around sustainable packaging and alternatives.'Bans gave entrepreneurs a nudge. Suddenly, we saw the emergence of startups offering compostable packaging, reusable cutlery, and smart waste-tracking apps,' says Dhawan.advertisementThe Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy introduced in 2022 is reshaping corporate accountability. Companies can no longer walk away after selling plastic—they must now ensure proper collection and recycling.'Producers must not treat EPR as a checkbox,' Dhawan warns. 'It's a chance to rethink everything—from design to disposal.'STARTUPS LEADING LOCAL INNOVATIONApp-based waste collection, IoT-enabled recycling units, and decentralised sorting systems are emerging across India. Many are led by startups without massive funding but with a deep understanding of community needs.'These entrepreneurs are rooted in the realities of the places they serve,' Dhawan notes. 'They don't just offer tech—they offer trust.'THE FUTURE NEEDS DESIGN, NOT DAMAGE CONTROLThe plastic crisis is more than an environmental emergency—it's a design flaw, and more importantly, a leadership test.'It's time we stop treating bans as damage control and start treating them as design challenges,' says Dhawan. 'If we support the right minds now, India can define what sustainable consumption looks like for the world.'The plastic crisis demands more than reactive measures—it calls for bold leadership, innovative thinking, and collective responsibility. India stands at a crucial juncture where policy, entrepreneurship, and community action can converge to reshape the future of sustainability. By embracing bans as opportunities for design and innovation, supporting grassroots startups, and holding producers accountable, India can lead the global charge toward a cleaner, greener planet. The path ahead is challenging, but with courage and creativity, the plastic problem can become a catalyst for lasting positive change.