As the global host nation for the 2018 World Environment Day (June 5), and as a country that generates over 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, India led the charge against plastic on Tuesday, with programmes in different parts of the country focussed on the theme of ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’.
Speaking on the occasion of World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for effective plastic waste management, and said that “an unclean environment hurts the poor and the vulnerable the most”. President Ramnath Kovind put out a tweet urging people to work for a “cleaner and sustainable planet”.
In the national capital, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) and embassies of the member states adopted a ‘Green Pledge’, under which the 28 EU member-states made a commitment to green their embassies. In a statement, they undertook to “discontinue the use of harmful plastics including plastic straws, stirrers, cups, water bottles in their embassies and residences” and “switch to eco-friendly materials.”
Meanwhile, the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), has decided to switch from imposing fines on those who litter, to witty signage aimed at raising environmental awareness. The signs will primarily be in the garden area of Terminal 2. “We find pan stains everywhere. We plan to install signage that will be educative and witty. Through these, we will inform visitors. We will also request them not to spit or litter,” said an MIAL official.
Tamil Nadu ban
Down south, the Tamil Nadu Government said it would ban the manufacturing, storage, and use of plastic products (except packing material for milk, curd, oil and medical products) from January 1, 2019.
