India taking steps to become free of single-use plastic by 2022: Javadekar

India is taking all steps to ensure that the country becomes free of single-use plastic by 2022 as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Tuesday while launching 'Plastic Hackathon 2021' campaign.

Kick-starting the two-month long awareness campaign on single-use plastics (SUPs), Javadekar, in an audio message, said the Environment Ministry has taken several steps towards eliminating single-use plastic from the country.

"Prime Minister Modi pledged to make the country free of single use plastic. We took several steps in that direction. The import of plastic waste has been banned. The states have been directed to ensure no use of SUP. Several states have already stopped using SUP," he said.

"We have notified plastic waste management rules under which plastic below 40 microns thickness cannot be used. We have also directed states to take action against companies producing plastic carry bags under 40-micron thickness, the minister added.

Announcing the campaign, he said it will help finding suitable alternatives to SUP and identify new ways of plastic waste management.

"We are organising a Plastic Hackathon 2021. It will deliberate on plastic waste management, its collection and what new products can be made out of it. Suitable alternative to SUP will also be discussed in this hackathon. Essay competitions will be organised for school kids. Till the time online classes are going on for schools and colleges, such activities will be enjoyed by students and they can participate with full enthusiasm," Javadekar said.

Before the minister's message, a virtual event was organised by FICCI where Environment Secretary R P Gupta said the campaign is an effort to raise the capacity of various stakeholders with respect to plastic pollution.

"It will be a two-month long campaign with a series of events on reducing plastic waste generation, recognising the need of effective plastic waste management, increasing the awareness of suitable alternatives, sustainable consumption and production and extended producer responsibility (EPR)," Gupta said.

The campaign is being organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit), a German organisation working jointly with partners in India for sustainable economic, ecological, and social development.

Read More at https://wap.business-standard.com/article-amp/current-affairs/india-taking-steps-to-become-free-of-single-use-plastic-by-2022-javadekar-121060801220_1.html