The Himalayan region of India is grappling with a severe plastic pollution crisis, as highlighted by the The Himalayan Cleanup (THC) 2024 Report. This crisis, driven by single-use plastic waste, poses a threat to the fragile mountain ecosystem. For students preparing for competitive exams, understanding this issue is crucial for current affairs and environmental studies. This post simplifies the key findings of the THC 2024 Report, organized by Zero Waste Himalaya (Gangtok, Sikkim) and Integrated Mountain Initiative (Dehradun, Uttarakhand), and offers actionable insights.
What is The Himalayan Cleanup?
Annual Waste Audit Initiative
The Himalayan Cleanup (THC) is an annual plastic waste audit conducted since 2018 across the Himalayan states, from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. Spearheaded by Zero Waste Himalaya and Integrated Mountain Initiative, it aims to assess the scale of plastic pollution and advocate for mountain-sensitive policies. The THC 2024 Report compiles data from extensive audits, revealing alarming trends in plastic waste generation.
Key Findings of the THC 2024 Report
Dominance of Single-Use Plastics
Over 84% of plastic waste in the Himalayan region comes from single-use food and beverage packaging, such as snack wrappers, juice containers, and instant noodle packets. This highlights the heavy reliance on disposable plastics in daily consumption.
Non-Recyclable Plastic Problem
A staggering 70% of the collected plastic waste is non-recyclable, including multilayered packaging and tetrapaks. These materials lack market value, so waste pickers and scrap dealers avoid them, leading to landscape litter, clogged waterways, and landfill overflow.
Policy Gaps in Mountain Regions
Current waste management policies are not tailored to the fragile mountain ecosystems. The report calls for mountain-sensitive policies and decentralized waste systems to address the unique challenges of these regions.
Lack of Waste Collection Systems
Due to the absence of effective waste collection systems, non-recyclable plastics pile up in rural and mountain areas, exacerbating environmental degradation.
State-Wise Plastic Waste Data (2025 Audit)
Sikkim Leads in Waste Generation
Sikkim recorded the highest waste, with 53,814 pieces (44% of total waste) audited across 86 sites. Of these, 87% were plastic, with food packaging making up 92% in some areas.
Other Key States
- Darjeeling (West Bengal): 36,180 items from 37 sites, with 95.5% being plastic.
- Ladakh: 93.3% of waste was plastic, with 75.8% non-recyclable.
- Uttarakhand and Nagaland: High percentages of plastic waste linked to food packaging.
- Arunachal Pradesh: Despite lower waste, 99.6% of plastic waste was from food packaging.
Overall, out of 1,21,739 trash pieces collected, 1,06,857 were plastic, predominantly single-use.
Major Polluting Brands
Instant Noodles and Energy Drinks
The report identifies brands like Wai Wai and Maggi (instant noodles) and PepsiCo’s Sting (energy drink) as major contributors to plastic waste. Snack wrappers and juice containers are also prevalent, reflecting consumer habits in the region.
Recommendations to Combat the Crisis
Producer Responsibility
The report emphasizes that the plastic waste crisis is a production and system issue, not just a consumer problem. It urges food and beverage brands to take accountability for their waste through extended producer responsibility (EPR).
Ban on Multi-Layered Plastics
An outright ban on multi-layered plastics is recommended to reduce non-recyclable waste. Additionally, mandatory labelling on packaging can raise awareness about proper disposal.
Local and Sustainable Solutions
The report advocates for local, traditional, and sustainable waste solutions over centralized systems. A ‘design out waste’ approach can minimize environmental impact.
Policy Reforms
Integrated policies addressing waste, climate change, biodiversity, and food security are essential. Enhanced waste management resources for rural and mountain communities are also critical.
Community-Level Actions
Banning junk food sales near schools and equipping local bodies with tools for waste management can drive long-term change.
Why This Matters for Competitive Exams
Questions on environmental issues, plastic pollution, and sustainable development are common in exams like UPSC, SSC, and Banking. The THC 2024 Report provides critical data on the Himalayan plastic crisis, which can appear in current affairs or essay sections. Understanding the role of organizations like Zero Waste Himalaya and Integrated Mountain Initiative, along with state-wise waste data, can give you an edge.
Post Date: May 10, 2025