Artificial Intelligence and Regulatory Framework for Sustainable Plastic Management: An Analytical Study towards Achieving SDGs

Sustainable plastic management has been a goal since legislation in 1999, yet implementation continues to be a significant challenge, with persistent use of single-use plastics (SUP) still evident among street vendors, shopkeepers, and take- out establishments. This study proposes a comprehensive strategy anchored on the three Ps: Prevention (of SUP usage), Prosecution (of violators), and Protection (from environmental SUP). While regulations exist, their enforcement needs to be prioritized; there's a pressing need for AI-driven solutions to address the environmental SUP menace. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which emphasizes sustainable cities and communities. Notably, recent update in Indian regulation for plastic management and artificial intelligence techniques has brought up an important perspective of sustainable living. The regulations have prohibited not only usage but also manufacture, import, stocking, distribution and sale of SUP items, including polystyrene commodities from 1st July 2022. Yet, the socioeconomic challenges, regulatory gaps, and lack of widespread awareness demand inventive approaches to plastic management. This paper advocates for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the plastic management system, based on the third P (protection), as a pivotal step toward an SUP-free planet. The structure of this paper is divided into nine segments. It commences with an introduction, delving next into the environmental impact of SUP and sustainable plastic management. Following this, an overview of SDGs is discussed, leading into an examination of the international legal framework. The narrative then narrows its focus on SDG 11 and transitions into an exploration of India's legal context. As the discourse progresses, the potential of leveraging AI for SUP prevention is discussed. Before wrapping up with a concluding section, the paper offers a glimpse into the gaps and challenges of this domain.