TO SAY that the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change’s (MOEFCC) draft of the Uniform Framework for Extended Producer’s Responsibility (EPR) for plastic waste is full of glaring omissions would, undoubtedly, be a gross understatement. Though this document was released in June this year in the midst of the pandemic, there is a glaring COVID-19 blindspot as the document does not factor in the current challenges. There is no mention of shortage of waste pickers to collect personal protective equipment (PPE) and mixed waste discarded by households containing hazardous biowaste—used masks, gloves and other cleaning materials being used by people at home. This can infect the waste picker resulting in sickness, sudden medical expenses and in extreme situations, death.
In most countries, workers engaged in hazardous occupations are covered by a host of welfare programmes, which provide them with benefits that include medical insurance and adequate work gear. In India, however, waste workers are not provided with any type of PPE by civic authorities or contractors. Many waste workers have not even received their wages for the past few months. However, since there is no grievance redressal system available to them, they continue to work in the fear of losing out on their past earnings.
Moreover, during the lockdown periods, the waste dealer shops were shut down as these businesses do not appear in the list of “essential services”. This breaks down the reverse logistics process as the recyclable waste materials cannot be redeemed for cash by the waste pickers.
Esta historia es de la edición December 16, 2020 de Down To Earth.
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Esta historia es de la edición December 16, 2020 de Down To Earth.
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A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits
DIGGING A DISASTER
Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag
TROUBLED WOODS
Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health
BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara