Toxics Link

07/05/2026

Toxics Link participated in the launch event of UNEP’s new guidance, “Safe Disposal of Unused Medicines - A Approach for National Systems,” organised under the “Addressing Pharmaceuticals in the Environment through a Lifecycle Approach” event series, with support from World Health Organization (WHO), Global Environment Facility & the Geneva Environment Network.

Vidhi Mathur, Senior Program Officer, , presented a talk on "Disposal of Unused Medicines in India" during the event. She highlighted key regulations such as the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016, while also discussing the new CDSCO 2025 Guidance on expired/unused medications. The presentation discussed the responsibilities assigned to manufacturers, pharmaceutical retailers, and regulators within the current policy framework, while also pointing to critical gaps such as low consumer and pharmacist awareness and the absence of effective take-back mechanisms.

Improper disposal of medicines through sewage systems and household waste continues to contribute to environmental contamination, endocrine disruption, toxicity, and antimicrobial resistance ( ). The discussion emphasised the urgent need for stronger national systems, awareness generation, and cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure the safe disposal of unused medicines.

The newly launched UNEP - Evaluation Office guidance adopts a approach, recognizing the interlinkages between human health, animal health, and the environment, and focuses on waste prevention, take-back schemes, policy frameworks, and awareness raising.

Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

28/04/2026

What we use daily can impact us in ways we don’t always see.
BPA and phthalates, commonly found in plastics are known to interfere with hormones and affect overall health over time.

It’s time to rethink everyday choices.
Move away from plastics. Switch to safer alternatives.

Read more: https://toxicslink.org/publications/reports/phthalates-and-bisphenols-in-india/

24/04/2026

What if the plastics and everyday products you use are quietly affecting your health?
Phthalates, used to make plastics flexible and BPA, found in food packaging, receipts, and countless daily items, are now widely detected in our environment, food, water, air, and even human blood. Both are known endocrine disruptors that can interfere with the body’s natural hormonal balance and functioning.

The everyday convenience of plastic comes with hidden chemical exposure.

Awareness is the first step toward change.

It’s time to rethink daily choices—move away from unnecessary plastics and switch to safer, more sustainable alternatives.

Read more: https://toxicslink.org/publications/reports/phthalates-and-bisphenols-in-india/

17/04/2026

Did you know?
Plastics contain added chemicals that give them flexibility, color, and durability.

These include:
Phthalates
Bisphenols (like BPA) - and more hidden chemicals

These chemicals don’t stay locked in plastic—they can leach out into food, water, and air.

It’s time to rethink everyday choices.
Move away from plastics. Switch to safer alternatives.

13/04/2026

In India, plastics are produced and used at an enormous scale, with chemicals added to enhance flexibility, durability, and performance. But these chemicals don’t stay locked in. Studies show they can leach into food, water, and the environment—leading to continuous human exposure.
Plastics don’t just pollute—they carry chemicals that can leach into our food, water, and environment, impacting our health over time.

09/04/2026

A new Toxics Link report finds lead contamination in soil around recycling units across Delhi NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, exceeding safety limits and posing serious risks to nearby communities. Lead exposure through air, food, and dust is especially dangerous for children and pregnant women, affecting brain development and lifelong health.

Read Full Report:https://toxicslink.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Toxics%20Link%20-%20Soiled%20With%20Lead.pdf

02/04/2026

Hidden chemicals in everyday plastics are a growing concern.
Our new report uncovers the widespread presence of phthalates and bisphenols and underscores the urgent need for stronger regulation.

Read report here: https://toxicslink.org/publications/reports/phthalates-and-bisphenols-in-india/

Title: Phthalates and Bisphenols in IndiaPublication Type: Research ReportsYear of Publication: 2026Abstract:The report examines the widespread use, exposure, and health risks of phthalates and bisphenols in India. It highlights regulatory gaps, fragmented controls, and evidence of contamination acr...

25/03/2026

Banned plastic products remain widely available across cities, even three years after India's Single-Use Plastic Ban, a recent Toxics Link study finds.

From Bhubaneswar (89%) to Delhi (86%), Mumbai (85%) and Guwahati (76%), banned SUPs continue to dominate local markets—especially among street vendors, juice stalls, and weekly markets, while malls show better compliance.

What’s driving this?
- High cost of alternatives
- Continued customer demand for carry bags

The way forward is clear: stronger enforcement, targeted monitoring of low-compliance sectors, and making sustainable alternatives affordable and accessible.

At the same time, supporting small vendors and driving behaviour change through sustained awareness campaigns will be key to reducing dependence on single-use plastics.

19/03/2026

India’s traditional repair culture is under threat due to rising consumption, high service costs, and a lack of genuine spare parts, leading to a surge in environmental e-waste finds Toxics Link report, “Stitch in Time: Evaluating Consumer Behaviour & Electronics Repair Accessibility,” across five major cities.

Who is fixing vs. buying?

Delhi & Hyderabad: Most people here choose to buy new rather than fix old gadgets, regardless of how much they earn.

Nagpur: While the wealthy are quick to upgrade, middle-income families are still fighting to keep their devices running through repairs.

Kolkata: Losing its edge. Despite having a unique repair ecosystem, the city is seeing a growing preference for new purchases over traditional fixing.

Ranchi: People here strongly value making products last, driven by cost-consciousness and a traditional value system.

How Income Changes the Choice

The income-based trend analysis reveals that low-income groups prioritise repair for financial reasons, middle-income group choose based on cost-effectiveness whereas the high-income group opt for replacement driven by convenience, brand preferences and the desire for the latest technology.

The study also calls for the implementation of a national "Right to Repair" framework. This would mandate OEMs to provide access to repair manuals and genuine parts, effectively empowering both consumers and independent technicians to extend product lifecycles.

Read full report- https://toxicslink.org/publications/reports/stitch-in-time-evaluating-consumer-behaviour-electronics-repair-accessibility/

Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India

Title: Stitch in Time: Evaluating Consumer Behaviour & Electronics Repair AccessibilityPublication Type: Research ReportsYear of Publication: 2025Abstract: This report examines the repair landscape across Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Nagpur, and Ranchi. By analysing IT and appliances through economic....

27/02/2026

At the 25th World Sustainable Development Summit on 25 February, the India–Norway partnership took centre stage with a thematic session titled “From Source to Seas: Science-informed pathways for transforming plastic and chemical pollution governance.” The session highlighted how rigorous scientific research and international cooperation are strengthening laws and policies to curb plastic pollution and protect our environment and health.

Experts shared findings from the India–Norway INOPOL project, which traces the movement of plastic waste and persistent organic pollutants from land into rivers and oceans, underscoring risks to human health, livelihoods, and ecosystems. Two key reports were released — a Plastic Waste Strategy for Tamil Nadu and an Action Plan for POPs management — offering evidence-based guidance to improve monitoring, enforcement, and pollution control.

Speakers emphasised the importance of data-driven policymaking, stronger regulatory frameworks, and sustained global cooperation to build effective legal pathways that address pollution from source to sea.

Let’s champion science-based solutions and collective action for cleaner environments and healthier communities!

27/02/2026

A stakeholder meeting on “Chemicals Management: Persistent Organic Pollutants and Plastics” was held on 24th February 2026, in Dehradun. Toxics Link in collaboration with The Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board organised the programme, with support from the India-Norway Cooperation Project for Plastic and Chemical Pollution Reduction in India (INOPOL) consortium and The Norwegian Embassy, Norwegian Institute of Water Research (NIVA), Mu Gamma Consultants Pvt. Ltd., SRM Institute of Science and Technology and Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET).

The meeting brought together key institutions and experts, including the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, state government departments (e.g. Department of Health and Family Welfare), industry representatives, NGOs, researchers, and academia. The discussion focused on monitoring and managing persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and plastics (micro- and macroplastics) in the state.

Key deliberations covered regulatory measures, monitoring under NIP-2, emerging risks from PFAS and microplastics exposure, and the need to reinforce environmental and public health safeguards. The session also marked the release of Toxics Link’s new report on POPs in Uttarakhand, which examines their sources, associated risks, and urgent actions required.

Together, we can push for safer chemicals, cleaner ecosystems, and healthier communities.

Read & share:https://toxicslink.org/publications/reports/pops-in-uttrakhand/

Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi Central Pollution Control Board