A Study of Plastic Waste Generation: Causes and Its Impact on the Environment in the Mumbai Region
Main Article Content
Abstract
Plastic waste has become a major environmental concern due to rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyles, increased consumption of packaged products, and the growing use of single-use plastics. This study examines the patterns of plastic waste generation, identifies the major factors contributing to its increasing use, and evaluates its impact on the environment. A descriptive cross-sectional research design with a quantitative approach was adopted. Primary data were collected from 200 respondents in Mumbai City using a structured questionnaire.
The findings reveal that packaging materials, online shopping, and food delivery services have significantly increased household plastic waste generation. Respondents identified the low cost, easy availability, and convenience of plastic products, along with inadequate recycling facilities, poor waste collection systems, limited public awareness, and weak implementation of government regulations, as the major causes of plastic waste generation.
The study also found that respondents were aware of the harmful effects of plastic waste on land, water, air quality, and biodiversity. Most respondents supported stricter enforcement of plastic waste management rules, improved recycling systems, greater public awareness, and reduced use of single-use plastics.
The study concludes that effective plastic waste management requires collective efforts from individuals, industries, and government agencies to promote sustainable practices and protect the environment for future generations
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
"Analysis and Estimation of Microplastics from Landfill Leachate in Urban India from 1960 to 2022,” Sept. 2024, doi: 10.34726/hss.2024.123050.
A. P. Singh, A. S. Devi, and U. K. Sahoo, “Quantifying plastic waste generation in Aizawl city, India: waste management and its impact on human and environmental health,” Environmental Science and Pollution Research, May 2023, doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-27513-0.
Datta, S., Chauhan, A., Ranjan, A., Tuli, H. S., Dhama, K., Sardar, A. H., & Jindal, T. (2022). Plastic waste in India: Overview, impact, and measures to mitigate: Review. Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences, 10(3), 456–473. https://doi.org/10.18006/2022.10(3).456.473.
Hussain, A., Bhattacharya, A., & Ahmed, A. (2019). Plastic Waste Pollution and Its Management in India: A Review. In A. Hussain & S. Ahmed (Eds.), Advanced Treatment Techniques for Industrial Wastewater (pp. 62-73). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-5754-8.ch005.
J. N. G. Akaash, V. Tripathy, P. R. L, A. Nair, and M. Kasimani, “Statistical Analysis for Land Use Plastic Waste in India using AI,” International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 253–264, June 2024, doi: 10.9790/9622-1406253264.
J. Nikam, D. Ddiba, and G. Njoroge, “Analysis of the plastic waste value chain in India”, [Online]. Available: https://www.academia.edu/download/108669100/india-plastic-waste-value-chain-sei2022.037.pdf
J. T. Mathis, C. Maniyar, D. R. Mishra, B. K. Dubey, and J. Jambeck, “Uncovering Geospatial Patterns Emphasize the Urgency of Tackling Plastic Pollution at its Source,” Mar. 2024, doi: 10.5194/egusphere-egu24-14269.
Jakhar, R., Sandwal, S. K., Ali, I., & Styszko, K. (2026). Plastic waste to microplastic pollution and its impacts: A comprehensive review on Delhi, India. Applied Sciences, 16(1), 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010061.
K. Mittal and S. Agrawal, “The Assessment and Challenges of Waste Plastic Generation Rate and Status of Revenue Recovery: A Case Study of Mathura-Vrindavan”, [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karishma-Mittal /publication /3442 17495_The_Assessment_And_Challenges_Of_Waste_PlasticGeneration_Rate_And_ Status_Of_Revenue_Recovery_A_Case_Study_of_Mathura-Vrindavan/links/5f5ca7baa6fdcc11640bea19/The-Assessment-And-Challenges-Of-Waste-Plastic-Generation-Rate-And-Status-Of-Revenue-Recovery-A-Case-Study-of-Mathura-Vrindavan.pdf
L. K. Agarwal, S. Felix, and S. Agarwal, “Strength and Behavior of Concrete Contains Waste Plastic (High Density PVC) AggregatesAs Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregates,” International journal of engineering research and technology, vol. 8, no. 6, June 2019.
S. Salunke, “Unsustainable Packaging Waste – Growing Pressure on Indian Landfills,” International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.67032.
S. V. Kulkarni and Y. Shastri, “Economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment of Pyrolysis of Plastic Waste in Mumbai, India,” pp. 453–463, Jan. 2020, doi: 10.1007/978-981-13-7071-7_40.
Sen, S. B., & Yadav, V. (2025). Unveiling the Environmental and Social Challenges of Plastics Waste Mismanagement in India: A Quantitative Approach on Rural and Urban Disparities. IIMS Journal of Management Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/0976030x251358614.
Symeonides, C., Brunner, M., Mulders, Y., Toshniwal, P., Cantrell, M., Mofflin, L., & Dunlop, S. A. (2021). Buy-now-pay-later: Hazards to human and planetary health from plastics production, use and waste. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 57(11), 1795–1804. https://doi.org/10.1111/JPC.15777.
Vishwakarma, A. (2020). Unsustainable Management of Plastic Wastes in India: A Threat to Global Warming and Climate Change. In: Singh, P., Singh, R., Srivastava, V. (eds) Contemporary Environmental Issues and Challenges in Era of Climate Change. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9595-7_13