The Greek term plastikosis the source for originating word Plastic that has character flexibility in forming desired shape and mould.  Globally, the consumption of plastic grew due to urbanization and changing expectations of the people towards comfort, affordability, availability and accessibility (Brems et al, 2012, Mwanza &Mbohwa, 2017). Plastic Waste (PW) has become a big concern as the raw material used is hazards both to the environment and all living things including mankind. Improper treatment and mismanagement of the plastic waste is a big concern of our times (Olivia Lai, 2023). India generates around 3.47 million tons of plastic waste per annum noting that only 30 percent of it is recycled, and the rest is unattended to causing environmental pollution (Marico Innovation Foundation 2023). In the past five years, India witnessed a steady raise in per capita plastic waste from 700 grams to 2500 grams. As per the estimate of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB, 2022) only 60% of plastic waste is collected for recycling and other purposes and rest is going to the environment through different ways and polluting. 

Global production of plastic reached a mark of producing 359 million tons by (Napper & Thompson, 2020). The contribution of Middle East and Africa recorded 7% and 17% respectively (PlasticsEurope, 2019). The next year this figure raised to 370 million tons (Kumar et al., 2021). It was estimated that PW generated globally is 585 million (Benson et al., 2021). It is further estimated that the PW will be double in the coming two decades (Napper & Thompson, 2020). The statistics indicated that PW is generated more by the developed countries leaving less amount of pollution contribution to the developing nations including Palestine owing to the nature of Plastic, it takes a long time for degradation of plastic and more water pollution is creating with tiny particles of PW (Napper & Thompson, 2020). The magnitude of contamination is categorized as macro plastic, mesoplastic and micro plastic with > 20 mm diameter, 5–20 mm, < 5 mm respectively (Napper & Thompson, 2020). Plastic Waste Management (PWM) is done through incineration and land filling in many countries including India (Hossain et al., 2021). PWM practices included, 32.5% recycling, 42.6% energy and the residue is land filled globally. (Baran, 2022; Plastics Europe, 2019). The recent studies exhibited more percentage of PW than estimated (Anayah et al., 2021; Thoni&Matar, 2019) and land fill at global level (Chamas et al., 2020; Kumar et al., 2021).

LITERATURE REVIEW

Plastic is a material that can flow in a way that allows it to be molded into various shapes and used in a variety of manners. It is light in weight yet resistant and strong which makes it the first choice for many industries when looking for a good material to use for packaging. While plastics are useful, they cause a variety of environmental problems due to the harmful chemicals they release while they decompose (Windsor et al., 2019). With millions of tons of plastic used annually, these environmental problems are becoming a huge issue. Though plastics can be recycled, less than 9% are, with most ending up in landfills (NewsRx Health & Science Editor, 2021). Since plastics are non-biodegradable, they remain in the environment for a long time after they are discarded. With the amount of plastic, the world uses, this becomes an increasingly prevalent issue as they are contaminating many different environments. These piles of plastic that are slowly degrading can cause risks to human and animal health (Plastic Health Coalition, 2018).

Plastics also cause major environmental problems including, but not limited to, introducing micro plastics into the air and polluting the groundwater. Plastic in general causes a lot of pollution within the oceans and other waterways (Shafqat et al., 2020). This becomes even more of an issue since, during the hundreds of years’ plastic takes to decompose, it creates micro plastics. Micro plastics are little bits of plastics that create similar environmental issues to plastic (NewsRx Health & Science Editor, 2021). Plastics are still so widely used for a variety of reasons, mainly surrounding their cost and available applications. Not only this, but consumers also often prefer to buy products with plastic packaging because it is what they are used to in both the way it looks, feels, and works (Jonsson et al., 2021). Not only this plastic tends to look and seem clean and aesthetically pleasing which causes many Plastics: Problems and Possible Solutions.

Bioplastics are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic, usually made from either natural materials or biomass (Sagnelli et al., 2017). They are designed to be able to function in the same way as plastic without all its harmful effects. To create eco-friendly packaging, it is important to keep in mind the Sustainable Packaging Alliance’s definition of sustainable packaging which asks if it is effective, efficient, cyclic, and clean. Effective addresses how it works and if it does what it is designed to do. Efficient addresses how well it does this. Cyclic and clean address the materials used. Cyclic addresses the cycle that the materials go through and clean addresses the safety of the materials for both humans, animals, and the environment (Herbes et al., 2020). By keeping the Sustainable Packaging Alliance’s definition in mind, a better understanding of what is important when creating bioplastic is gained.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Plastic waste management in India faces a critical crisis, with 3.47 million tons generated annually and only 30% recycled. In Chittoor district, plastic manufacturers demonstrate a significant gap between awareness and action in adopting circular economy practices. Despite 88.9% expressing interest in biodegradable alternatives, implementation remains minimal due to cost barriers, technological constraints, and inadequate institutional support. The industry's heavy reliance on incineration (60%), limited adoption of eco-friendly practices (62.2% have not implemented sustainable methods), and absence of collaboration with sustainability organizations (100% reported no partnerships) highlight the urgent need for intervention. Local governments face supply-side challenges including financial limitations, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient manpower to enforce the 3R principles effectively. This study addresses the critical need to bridge this awareness-action gap by proposing viable circular economy solutions and sustainable alternatives to reduce plastic pollution in the district.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To examine the current sustainability practices and environmental perspectives of plastic manufacturers in Chittoor district.
2. To analyses the impact of plastic production and waste on the local ecosystem and its alignment with Sustainable Development Goals.
3. To assess the readiness and willingness of plastic manufacturers to adopt circular economy strategies, including recycling, biodegradable materials, and waste-reduction initiatives.
4. To propose suitable circular economy based solutions, including sustainable plastic alternatives and enhanced recycling mechanisms, to reduce plastic pollution in the district.

METHODOLOGY

Methods of data collection

Data for the study is collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data is collected from plastic manufacturers. The primary data is carried out with the help of structured questionnaire. Secondary data is collected from the reports of government and nongovernmental agencies, journals, research reports.

Formulation of hypothesis

H_{0 =}There is no significant difference among the selection of options.

H₁= There is a significant difference among the selection of options.

DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

Table 1.1

Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test. *: Statistically significant at the 0.05 level.

Source: Compiled by the author using SPSS

DISCUSSION

The findings of the study provide important insights into the sustainability practices, operational characteristics, and circular economy readiness of plastic manufacturers in Chittoor district. A significant variation was observed in the distribution of respondents with respect to manufacturing location, indicating that all surveyed firms operate locally, which may influence their scale, resource availability, and adoption of sustainability practices. The duration of business operations did not show significant variation, suggesting that firms across different age groups whether established or relatively new exhibit similar patterns in their responses. Likewise, the types of plastic products manufactured did not differ significantly, indicating a diverse yet balanced spread across packaging materials, consumer goods, industrial products, and other categories. However, a significant difference was noted in production capacities, with all firms reporting output levels above 10,000 tons annually. This highlights the commercial scale of plastic manufacturing in the district and emphasizes the potential environmental impact associated with such production volumes.

The choice of raw materials showed a statistically significant variation, with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) being the most widely used. This trend aligns with national manufacturing patterns, where these materials dominate due to their cost-effectiveness and versatility. The results also revealed substantial differences in the adoption of sustainable or eco-friendly practices. A majority of firms reported only partial or minimal adoption of eco-friendly methods, pointing to barriers such as cost constraints, lack of technology, or limited regulatory pressure. Recycling practices also varied significantly, with many manufacturers incorporating recycled materials either partially or extensively. However, the high reliance on incineration for waste disposal highlights gaps in effective recycling infrastructure, awareness, and partnerships with authorized recyclers. Similarly, significant differences were observed in challenges faced by manufacturers, with rising raw material costs and increasing competition emerging as the most prominent concerns.

The study also found significant variations in efforts toward adopting biodegradable alternatives, demonstrating that some firms are proactively exploring circular economy solutions. However, limited collaboration with sustainability-focused organizations and heavy dependence on external consultants for regulatory compliance signal a need for improved institutional support, capacity-building initiatives, and policy guidance. Quality control mechanisms showed diverse adoption levels, suggesting variability in operational standards and certification practices. Although ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications were present among several firms, many lacked broader sustainability-related certifications, which may hinder the transition toward a circular production model. Interestingly, manufacturers expressed strong willingness to share success stories and best practices, indicating a positive mindset towards peer learning and sustainability awareness. However, equal preference among respondents regarding the future of the plastic manufacturing industry whether leaning towards biodegradable materials, increased recycling, or innovations in waste management highlights differing perceptions and readiness levels within the sector.

CONCLUSION

This study mainly focuses on sustainable plastic alternatives and recycling initiatives. Based on the information gathered and analyzed from various sources, this study suggesting that sustainable plastic alternatives and recycling initiatives are the best practices for reduce plastic waste. The study is suggesting two alternatives scenarios (1) strengthen recycling technologies and infrastructure (b) sustainable alternative materials such as Cotton, Hemp, Flax/Linen, Jute, Coir fibre, Ramie, Abaca/Manila hemp, Pina, Sisal. Use of bio plastics, biodegradable plastics, bio-degradable bio-plastics, and compostable plastics, Oxo-degradable/ oxy-degradable/ oxo-biodegradable plastics could be some sustainable alternatives. The government initiatives are PW is creative and highly appreciable. The initiatives include Edible Seaweed Cups, Algae-blended ethylene-vinyl acetate, Lipids and Glycerolipids Coating, Zero plastic recycled paper bottle, Edible packaging products and Wood-based paper packaging.

SCOPE FOR FURTHER STUDY

Future research can be extended to compare sustainability practices of plastic manufacturers across multiple districts or states to identify broader regional patterns. Studies may also explore consumer awareness, government policy effectiveness, and technological innovations in recycling and biodegradable materials. Longitudinal studies could assess how the adoption of circular economy practices evolves over time and its measurable impact on reducing plastic pollution.

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