India Ratifies Global Plastics Treaty, Pledges 70% Cut in Single-...

India signed and ratified the UN Global Plastics Treaty in Geneva, committing to a 70% reduction in single-use plastic production and consumption by 2030. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav called the treaty a landmark step and confirmed that India will phase out 19 additional categories of single-use plastics beyond those already banned. The Ministry of Environment has launched a Plastic Credit Mechanism under which industries that recover and recycle plastic waste earn tradeable credits. Extended producer responsibility norms will be tightened, making packaging companies financially liable for post-consumer waste collected nationally. India also pledged $200 million to support developing nations in South Asia and Africa to build plastic waste management infrastructure as part of its commitment under the treaty.