Delhi government joins hands with UNEP, Eco Clubs to raise awareness against single use plastic

New Delhi: To create awareness against single-use plastic, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai held a meeting with the Environment Department, DPCC, UNEP, and Eco Clubs of Delhi in the Delhi Assembly.

The main objective of this meeting was to start an awareness campaign for the general public about the banned products of single-use plastic in Delhi.

“The Environment Ministry is taking all appropriate steps against pollution. Against the increasing pollution in Delhi, the Summer Action Plan on the lines of the Winter Action Plan has also been started by the department” said Gopal Rai.

He said, “To limit the usage of single-use plastic objects, a public awareness campaign is required, as well as a mass movement. Unless other options are promoted, it will be impossible to eliminate single-use plastic items.”

“It is not possible to stop single-use plastic items unless other alternatives are promoted” he added.

From 1st July onwards 19 products made from single-use plastic have been banned in Delhi.

Along with this, a three-day Plastic Vikalp Mela was also organized from July 1 to July 3 at Thyagaraj Stadium in Delhi to promote alternatives to SUP.

While discussing with all the panelists during the round table conference on the last day of the fair, it has been seen that there are many questions regarding the plastic ban not only in the general public but also in the industrial associations.

People think that ban on SUP items means a ban on plastic carry bags and that is why there is an urgent need to create awareness among the public.

“In today’s meeting, after discussing with Eco Clubs of Delhi and UNEP, it has been decided that through children of Delhi Eco clubs, people will be made aware about the banned products of single-use plastic,” he further added.

Environment Minister said, “The usage of single-use plastic contributes significantly to pollution. Many individuals try to destroy it by burning it or dumping it in the ground which poses a major hazard to air, water, and land contamination.

“In such a situation, adequate information is needed. In such a situation, there is a need for adequate information about single-use plastic and its alternatives” the minister said.

“For this reason, on 19th July Delhi Government will collaborate with UNEP for building the capacity of Delhi’s school teachers, children, and Eco Clubs towards single-use plastic waste management and usage of its alternatives so that better information is available to the people of Delhi,” he said.