Plastic in the Air: What Burnt Waste Is Doing to Gurugram’s Lungs

When Plastic Pollution Turns to Poison

Every winter and summer, Gurugram's skyline turns grey. But behind the haze is more than just dust or crop burning—it’s plastic. Across construction sites, empty lots, and urban villages, plastic waste is often set on fire as an easy disposal method. The result? Gurugram residents are inhaling a dangerous mix of dioxins, furans, and other toxic chemicals.

Plastic pollution is no longer just a land issue. It has entered our air, our homes, and our lungs.

What Is Plastic Air Pollution?

When plastic is burnt—intentionally or accidentally—it releases harmful chemicals that are not only bad for the environment, but also for human health.

Common sources include:

• Burning of mixed waste in landfills or roadside bins

• Construction debris and packaging materials

• Informal burning in slums and unauthorized settlements

• Burning agricultural plastic (e.g., mulch film, polybags)

These fires release dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are highly toxic.

Where This Happens in Gurugram

Several areas in Gurugram witness routine plastic waste burning:

• Wazirabad and Sikanderpur: Open lots where daily waste is burned

• Sector 56, 37D, and DLF Phase 1: Reports of mixed waste fires near dumpsters

• Construction zones along Golf Course Road using plastic sheets and packaging

According to a 2023 report by the Haryana Pollution Control Board, over 40% of local PM2.5 in winter months comes from burning waste, much of which includes plastic.

The Health Fallout of Burning Plastic

When plastic burns, the pollutants don’t just disappear. They linger.

Short-term health effects:

• Coughing, eye irritation, sore throat

• Headaches, dizziness, and nausea

Long-term health risks:

• Lung damage and chronic bronchitis

• Cancer-causing dioxins affecting liver and immune system

• Developmental issues in children due to neurotoxins

• Hormonal imbalance and reproductive risks

Children, the elderly, and outdoor workers are most vulnerable. In slum communities and near landfill zones, respiratory cases rise significantly post-waste-burning incidents.

Case Study: How a Sector 29 School Saw a Spike in Student Illness

In November 2023, a private school in Sector 29 reported a sharp rise in student absenteeism due to eye irritation and respiratory distress. On investigation, local RWAs found that an adjacent empty plot had been used to burn discarded packaging and food wrappers. Within 48 hours of the incident, AQI rose from 220 to 380—a level considered hazardous.

The Economic and Environmental Costs

• Urban Drainage Damage: The ash and residue from burnt plastic clogs city drains

• Crop Contamination: Wind-blown toxins affect nearby kitchen gardens and agri-patches

• Air Purifier Dependence: Urban homes and schools invest heavily in filtration

• Healthcare Load: Seasonal spikes in asthma and respiratory issues burden clinics

Why Is Plastic Still Being Burnt?

Despite laws against open burning, it continues due to:

• Lack of waste segregation at source

• Limited awareness in informal sectors

• Inadequate penalties for illegal dumping

• Cost of plastic recycling vs burning

Street vendors, sanitation staff, and informal recyclers often lack the infrastructure or training to safely dispose plastic.

What Gurugram Needs: A Multi-Layered Response

1. Enforce Strict Penalties: RWAs and businesses caught burning plastic must face strict fines

2. Plastic Collection Incentives: Reward systems for segregated plastic disposal

3. Urban Surveillance: CCTV monitoring of known waste-burning hotspots

4. Infrastructure Boost: More Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) across sectors

5. Behavioural Campaigns: Tie-ups with schools and workplaces to report illegal burning

CSR & Government Collaboration Is Critical

Corporates and ESG-aligned brands can help by:

• Funding clean air campaigns

• Partnering in school awareness programs

• Equipping waste workers with safety gear

• Sponsoring sensor-based air monitors in red zones

Under Schedule VII of the Companies Act, this qualifies as both "environmental sustainability" and "public health" initiatives.

A Note on Air Quality Index (AQI)

Burning plastic can spike AQI levels within minutes. Gurugram often sees PM2.5 levels above 300 in winter, well beyond safe limits.

What Residents Can Do

• Don’t burn waste or let local vendors do it

• Report waste burning to GMDA or GBTG Helpline

• Talk to RWA and building staff about safer disposal

• Shift to reusable, compostable, and recyclable materials

The Way Forward

Every burnt bag, every lit pile of plastic is a step backward for Gurugram’s health. Plastic air pollution isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a toxin we breathe. And stopping it doesn’t need complex solutions.

It starts with awareness, community action, and collective will.

Because clean air should not be a luxury. Not in Gurugram. Not anywhere.