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The Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav launched ‘Prakriti’, a mascot to spread greater awareness among the masses about small changes that can be sustainably adopted in our lifestyle for a better environment. Also, various green initiatives taken by the Ministry and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ensure effective Plastic Waste Management (PWM) in the country, were launched. Minister of State, Ashwini Kumar Choubey and other senior officials of the government were present at the occasion.

To tackle the challenge of plastic pollution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India’s pledge to phase out Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) by 2022. Taking the momentum forward and stressing the need for active public participation, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change also administered the ‘Swachh Bharat Harit Bharat Green Pledge’ to the gathering. Plastic has become one of the most pressing environmental issues we face today. India is generating about 3.5 Million Tonnes of plastic waste annually and the per capita plastic waste generation has almost doubled over the last five years. Plastic Pollution adversely affects our ecosystems and is also linked to air pollution.

Bhupender Yadav urged everyone to join in the efforts to beat plastic pollution and work towards a better future.  He appreciated the innovative solutions developed by start-ups entrepreneurs and students in India Plastic Challenge–Hackathon 2021 highlighting the immense talent and potential of India’s youth. Further, he informed us about the recently released IPCC Working Group III contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which focuses on mitigation measures to keep the world aligned to the Plastic Waste Management goals and what we can do to remain on the roadmap set by the Paris Agreement. In conclusion, the Union Minister said that India sends a message of hope and optimism that humanity can meet the challenges posed by climate change and will be a part of the solution to climate change. Earlier, in Nairobi, the Union Minister had appreciated the efforts of MoEFCC and CPCB in launching e-governance portals & apps intended to ease issues related to Plastic Waste Management (PWM).

At the launch of Mascot, Prakriti, and other green initiatives of @MOEFCC emphasised on the importance of scientific attitude and that a paradigm shift will be achieved only when science offers not just development but sustainable development. pic.twitter.com/RwWdAdNy98

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) April 5, 2022

The Minister of State, Ashwini Kumar Choubey in his address said that the e-Governance portals of MoEFCC and CPCB such as the EPR portal and the mobile app for SUP grievance redressed launched today would go a long way in ensuring the complete phase-out of the single-use plastic and realize the vision of our Prime Minister. He said that the success of any initiative lies in collective action and responsibility. He stated that a Jan Andolan is the need of the hour for phasing out Single-Use Plastic with ‘SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas’ as underscored by the Prime Minister.

During the event, the following green initiatives for plastic waste management were launched:

National Dashboard on Elimination of Single-Use Plastic and Plastic Waste Management was launched to bring all stakeholders including Central Ministries/ Departments, State/UT Governments at one place and track the progress made for the elimination of single-use plastic (SUP) and effective management of plastic waste.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Portal for Plastic Packaging was rolled out for improving accountability, traceability, transparency and to facilitate ease of reporting compliance to EPR obligations by producers, importers and brand owners.

To empower citizens to check sale/usage/manufacturing of SUP in their area, Mobile App for Single-Use Plastics Grievance Redressal was launched at the occasion. This also helps in tackling the plastic menace.

A monitoring module for SUP was launched for local bodies, SPCBs/PCCs and CPCB, to do an inventory of details of SUP production/ sale & usage in commercial establishments at the district level and on-ground enforcement of the ban on SUP.

Also Read: Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launches e-governance platform for DGCA

Industrial production of Graphene from Waste Plastic to promote more industries to come forward to upcycle plastic waste.

The event also saw the felicitation of the winners of the India Plastic Challenge–Hackathon 2021. Three Startups/entrepreneurs category and four teams of students from Higher Education Institutions were awarded cash prizes of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 1 Lakh respectively for their innovative ideas and digital solutions for plastic waste mitigation and elimination of Single-Use Plastics.

Later, an exhibition on Plastic Waste Management showcasing SUP alternatives and technology solutions was inaugurated along with a newly established Fitness Centre and Daycare Facility for children of CPCB employees. A visit to CPCB laboratories and interaction with the Scientists was also held. The event witnessed participation from across the domain of plastic waste management including international organizations, research institutes, industry associations, Plastic Manufacturer Associations, Cement Manufacturers Association, civil society, young inventors & entrepreneurs, senior officials from MoEFCC& other concerned ministries and departments, Board Members of CPCB and virtual participation from Chairmen and Member Secretaries of State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees and IROs.

(With inputs from PIB)

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