States and Union territories and Urban Local Bodies across the country swung into campaign mode from 5th June to make the country free of single-use plastic. They also contributed to improving the environment, under the overarching mandate of Clean and Green.
Given the dual mandate of World Environment Day and India’s commitment to ban single-use plastic by this month, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has issued a detailed advisory to States and UTs to take up a range of activities in this direction.
The advisory for enforcing the committed nationwide single-use plastic ban encompasses many initiatives. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban 2.0, every Urban Local Body ULB is required to adopt 100 percent source segregation of waste, and have access to a Material Recovery Facility for sorting the dry waste including plastic waste into further fractions for recycling and processing. While over 2,500 ULBs have already been notified single-use plastic ban, States and UTs will need to ensure that the remaining ULBs notify the same by 30th of June. Citizens are now encouraged to desist from using thin plastic carry bags provided by street vendors, local shopkeepers and vegetable sellers and use alternative options.