Clean India-2 to focus on plastic ban

               

 

Ridding the country of single-use plastic by 2022 will be Clean India (Swachh Bharat) Part 2, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said and added that the government will conduct a mega public outreach programme in the next three years to achieve the target.

The government’s next big priority after achieving the aim of building 100 million toilets as part of the Clean India programme is to phase out single-use plastic, he said.

In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for an end to single-use plastic to protect the environment. Since then, the Centre as well as various state governments have announced measures to curb its use.

“Like establishing 100 million toilets was the first part of Clean India programme, now plastic waste management becomes the Clean India Part 2,” Javadekar said.He said the government is focusing on instilling behavioural changes among people to shun plastic and various ministries and government bodies are working towards it. He also referred to the BJP giving out cotton bags with the slogan ‘Plastic Nahi, Kapda Sahi’.

Javadekar said 30,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day in India. Of this, 10,000 tonnes of plastic waste does not get collected. 

Asked about the response of corporates, including manufacturers of plastics, Javadekar said their response has been impressive and they are coming forward with alternatives.

“Every ministry has taken action. It is a people’s movement and simultaneously producers of plastic can also think of alternatives and we are improving the plastic waste management system. All strategies working together will make India plastic waste free country,” he said.

Some measures taken by the govt

* The environment secretary said all government offices must completely ban all types of plastic carry bags, thermocol disposable cutlery and discourage the use of artificial banners, flags, flowers, water bottles, plastic folders and the like.

* The environment ministry has already directed more than 500 national parks, zoos and wildlife sanctuaries across the country to become free of single-use plastic.

* Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel announced that single-use plastics will not be allowed on the premises of historical monuments or within 100 metres of them.

* Indian Railways has urged all its vendors and staff to use reusable bags to reduce plastic footprint. The Railway Board has asked authorities to expedite the installation of plastic water bottle crushing machines at major stations. The board has also asked Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Development Corporation to implement the return of plastic drinking bottles as part of the Extended Producer Responsibility.

CREDITS# Manorama.