Making Change Through Street Vendors Is the Way Forward

Newsreel Asia Insight #47
Nov. 18, 2023

A new study highlights significant shortcomings in India’s ban on single-use plastics, particularly its neglect of the challenges faced by the country’s numerous street vendors. The report suggests a financially viable solution that could reduce plastic waste by 86% and create job opportunities.

As the third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-3) convenes in Nairobi, Kenya, this study advocates for a radical shift for India’s street vendors.

In Kolkata alone, transitioning roughly 80,000 vendors to reusable systems could slash plastic waste by 86%, generate over 2,250 jobs and yield a 21% return on investment within 2.3 years, says the study, conducted by Zero Waste Europe, Searious Business and the National Hawker Federation (NHF).

It indicates that Delhi’s 99,000 street vendors could see even greater economic benefits from a similar shift.

The study criticises India’s ban for addressing only a fraction of the plastic issue, particularly overlooking FMCG packaging. Mecanzy Dabre, deputy general secretary of NHF, notes that this packaging comprises about 50% of the plastic waste problem.

Indian street vendors, serving over 600 million meals daily, are in a unique position to implement large-scale reuse practices, the study suggests. Such practices could offer innovative business models and a just transition for workers across the plastic lifecycle.

The study also warns of the global environmental impact of continued plastic use. Over 99% of plastics come from fossil fuels, significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The hazardous nature of these materials is underscored by the use of over 16,000 chemicals, a quarter of which are classified as dangerous. The cost of plastics produced in 2019 was estimated at US$3.7 trillion, surpassing India’s GDP in 2022.

Saktiman Ghosh, General Secretary of NHF, emphasises the daily impact of climate change on street vendors and their understanding of plastics’ role in climate, biodiversity and pollution crises. NHF, representing street vendor unions across 28 Indian states, advocates for government support in adopting reuse systems.

Satyarupa Shekhar, an independent plastics activist, notes in the report that the success of Indian street vendors in adopting reusable systems could counter the narrative of economic infeasibility often used by major FMCGs.

Sunita Narain, director of the Centre for Science and Environment, in an earlier interview with the Times of India, highlighted flaws in India’s single-use plastic ban. She criticised the ban’s focus on the thickness of carry bags, noting the public’s general unawareness of bag micron levels, which complicates enforcement. Narain suggested that successful global bans involve total prohibition.

Narain also pointed out that the ban primarily targets unbranded items, like plastic cutlery, predominantly produced in the unorganised sector, making production-stage enforcement challenging. This shifts the focus to awareness and enforcement at the point of sale or use.

Furthermore, the government’s strategy on multi-layered plastics, involving extended producer responsibility (EPR), does not effectively tackle the issue of sachets or multi-layered plastics in landfills. Narain argued that this approach fails to address the root problems: lack of segregation at the source and the presence of non-recyclable plastics.

The informal sector is vital in India’s waste management, handling collection, sorting and recycling of plastic waste. Cities like Indore have successfully integrated the informal sector into their waste management systems.

As the Indian delegation returns from INC-3, it is crucial for the government to consider the study’s blueprint for change. This approach promises healthier communities, a thriving economy and a cleaner environment.