PLASTIC POLLUTION

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Context

The Delhi government has invited people from across the country to an exhibition in June to promote alternatives to Single-Use Plastic (SUP).

What is SUP?

SUPs refer to plastics which are used just once, as in disposable packaging and also in items such as plates, cutlery, straws
A FICCI study estimates that 43 per cent of India’s plastics are used in packaging and much of it is single-use plastic.
We also have completely unnecessary single-use plastic entering our homes in the form of covers for invitation cards, magazines, bread wrappers and advertisements.

The government on plastic waste

The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change in its Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 prohibited specific single-use plastic items which have low utility and high littering potential by 2022.
Government in 2021announced the Plastic India Hackathon to develop innovative alternatives to single-use plastics.
Mascot ‘Prakriti’ has been launched to spread mass awareness about how the adoption of small changes in our lifestyle can play a big role in environmental sustainability through effective plastic waste management.
National Dashboard on Elimination of Single-Use Plastic and Plastic Waste Management by MoEFCC which aims to connect all stakeholders including Central Ministries/Departments, State/UT Governments, etc.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Portal for Plastic Packaging by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to look after tasks that will help in overall operational functions like improving accountability, traceability, transparency and facilitating ease of reporting compliance to EPR Obligations by Producers, Importers and Brand-owners.
Mobile App for Single-Use Plastics Grievance Redressal by CPCB to allow citizens to check the sale/usage/manufacturing of single-use plastic in their region and tackle the plastic menace.