VB Interview: Addressing India’s plastic menace with CPCB’s scientist Syed Bilal
Syed Bilal who hails from Bhatkal cleared CPCB exam in 2019
India has emerged as the world’s largest contributor to plastic pollution, according to a study recently published in the journal Nature, accentuating the urgent need for concrete action to address this escalating environmental catastrophe. In an exclusive interview with Vartha Bharati, Syed Mohammed Bilal, supervisor of the Waste Water Lab at the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), elucidates the CPCB’s instrumental role in formulating transformative policies, the need for a paradigm shift in stakeholder attitudes, and the pressing necessity of curbing single-use plastics.
Bilal, a native of Bhatkal who grew up in Palakkad, Kerala, holds a BS-MS in Chemical Science and shared that his passion for science ignited at a young age, fueled by its ability to answer his curious questions. When it didn’t, it provided a platform to explore them further. Reflecting on his journey, he described his admission to the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Thiruvananthapuram as a series of fortunate events rather than a deliberate plan. “The IISERs were established only in 2008, so during my 12th grade in 2010, I wasn't aware of the institute. My mother happened to read a newspaper article about it and encouraged me to apply,” he recalled. The 30-year-old explained how IISER’s focus on cultivating scientific temper and critical reasoning set it apart from traditional rote learning. Despite the transformative experience, Bilal eventually realised that basic research was not his true calling. He then shifted gears, turning his attention to government service, and after intense preparation, successfully cleared the CPCB exam in 2019.
Bilal briefly discussed the historical origins of plastic, highlighting Leo Baekeland’s synthesis of Bakelite, the world’s first plastic, in 1907. “This opened a chain of discoveries of new polymers that made plastic a household commodity. Initially, it was a boon for humanity; however, no one could have predicted that a century later, these materials would become so pervasive that we would have to consider banning them due to their contamination of our land, air, and water,” asserted Bilal.
CPCB’s role in curbing plastic pollution
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, serves as India’s apex body responsible for monitoring and regulating pollution across the country. Its primary focus encompasses air, water, and soil pollution, although issues like noise and light pollution, though less frequently monitored, are also critical.
Bilal highlighted that the CPCB helped formulate the Plastic Waste Management Rules in 2016, which mandated the phase-out of single-use plastics and imposed restrictions on plastic bags with a thickness of less than 50 microns. A complete ban on single-use plastics was enforced from July 1, 2022, marking a significant step toward curbing plastic pollution.
Reasons for plastic pollution in India
Bilal noted that India, being the most populous country with approximately 1.44 billion people, is the primary driver behind the staggering amount of plastic waste it generates. Rapid economic growth has also fueled a consumer-driven economy, leading to increased demand for packaged goods. Despite recent improvements, a significant portion of recyclable plastic—over a third—still ends up in landfills or is carelessly dumped into rivers and drains, exacerbating the environmental crisis.
Solutions to overcome the crisis
The solutions to plastic pollution are varied and multifaceted. Bilal stated that the CPCB has played a key role in formulating national policies and guidelines for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Under this initiative, manufacturers are held accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, including their disposal at the end of use. He said: “CPCB oversees compliance with EPR regulations, ensuring that producers fulfill their duties regarding waste collection, recycling, and environmentally responsible disposal”.
Bilal emphasised that the best solution to plastic pollution is providing better alternatives to consumers. However, despite the simplicity of this idea, it remains a challenge due to the low cost of single-use plastics. Existing alternatives are often either less durable or more expensive—affordable only to the privileged.
He shared that we need to make lifestyle changes to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Simple actions, such as bringing cloth bags for groceries and opting for paper cups and non-plastic straws for drinks, can make a difference. He also stressed the importance of segregating non-biodegradable waste at home, which allows waste collectors to more efficiently channel it for recycling.
Violations and fines
At the policy level, organisations like the CPCB play a crucial role in enforcing the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules. “CPCB can issue show cause notices to state authorities or local bodies, asking them to explain their non-compliance,” explained Bilal. He highlighted that, since 2022, the CPCB has been conducting random inspections of markets, hotels, and industries to monitor the manufacturing and use of single-use plastics. Violators face immediate fines, but Bilal emphasised that these enforcement measures alone are not enough to eliminate single-use plastics. Despite efforts, illegal production continues on a large scale, with many products circulating through the black market, he noted.
Accountability is the key
Bilal stated that achieving a paradigm shift requires a systemic change in the attitudes of all stakeholders involved. Manufacturers, in particular, must evaluate their profits from single-use plastics against the environmental costs incurred, both for the ecosystem and for their own sustainability. “When empathy for the fragile nature of ecology takes root in people's hearts, better days will surely come,” Bilal concluded.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
