Amity Institute of Environmental Toxicology, Safety and Management (AIETSM), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida organized a National Conference on the theme, “Plastic Toxicity to Earth and Ecosystem: Mitigation Strategies”, to mark World Earth Day- 2026.
Deliberating upon “Marine plastics pollution: issues and solutions”, Dr. Sumit Sharma, Programme Officer, UNEP India, averred, “Plastics are the largest, most harmful and most persistent fraction of marine litter, accounting for at least 85% of total marine waste. Since plastic is a non-biodegradable substance, it cannot be decomposed or recycled, thereby causing a huge threat to the environment. Single-use plastic has been prohibited by many countries and new alternatives such as “third-generation” biodegradable plastics developed under EU “Safe and Sustainable by Design” concept, are being used to curtail marine pollution.”
Deliberating upon “Plastic and Sustainable Entrepreneurship”, Dr. Bhupesh Sharma, Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, Delhi, stated, “India generates 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, thus posing a major environmental challenge. There are several opportunities for sustainable entrepreneurship in the plastics sector. One approach is recycling and upcycling, wherein plastic waste can be transformed into new products such as furniture, construction materials, etc. Another promising area is the development of biodegradable alternatives made from natural materials like cornstarch, seaweed, or agricultural waste, which can replace single-use plastics. Entrepreneurs can also explore plastic-free retail models, such as zero-waste stores and refill systems, which encourage consumers to reduce their reliance on packaging. Additionally, waste management solutions, including better segregation systems and digital platforms connecting waste collectors with recyclers, can improve efficiency and reduce environmental damage.”
Dr. W Selvamurthy, President, Amity Science Technology and Innovation Foundation (ASTIF), highlighted that the Conference will help in formulating specific strategies to address plastic toxicity and its impact on earth and various ecosystems.
Presenting an overview of Amity Environmental Sustainability Initiatives and introducing the theme of the Conference, Dr. Tanu Jindal, Director, Amity Institute of Environmental Toxicology, Safety and Management (AIETSM, said, “The primary objective of this Conference is to deliberate on comprehensive mitigation strategies for reducing the impact of plastic toxicity. The Conference will also help in analysing the chemical impact of plastics on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and developing innovative strategies for plastic waste management and reduction.”
During the Conference, Technical Sessions on “Diesel Engine Fuelled with Plastic Waste Biodiesel - is it Future?”, “The Lost Plastic and Its Consequences”, “Plastic Crisis to Sustainable Solutions: Science-Driven Strategies for Environmental Sustainability”, “Plastic Toxicity and Impact on Ecosystem”, and many others were also conducted.