India Leads Global Fight on World Environment Day 2025 with the theme: ‘One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution’
Collective Action and Behavioural Change vital to End Plastic Pollution: Delhi CM Smt. Rekha Gupta
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| India Leads World on WED 2025: One Mission to End Plastic |
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, today celebrated World Environment Day 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, under the slogan ‘One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution’.
In a video message broadcasted at the event, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted that maintaining environmental balance is part of Indian culture. He emphasized that India had started to take action on plastic pollution much before the issue had gained global traction.
The August Presence of Union Minister for Environment,
The event witnessed the august presence of Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi; Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Minister for Environment, Forest & Wild Life, Government of NCT of Delhi and Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Minister for Transport, Government of NCT of Delhi.
The event also saw the participation of members of industry, civil society, students and Government officers from States and concerned central Ministries, following the ‘Whole of Government’ and 'Whole of Society’ approach.
The Pollution of River Yamuna needs to be Collectively Addressed
In his keynote address, Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav highlighted that vehicular pollution is an important issue in Delhi and that the use of Electric Buses will help in reducing air pollution. He also emphasized that pollution of river Yamuna needs to be collectively addressed by the states. He stated that though plastic is an important material the improper disposal of plastic waste is leading to the problem of plastic pollution.
The Minister urged the citizens of Delhi not to use plastic carry bags below 120 microns in thickness and avoid the use of single use plastics. He underscored the need to adopt technologies which allow us to reuse and recycle plastic waste, and highlighted the need to link innovative technology with business opportunities to reduce plastic pollution.
The Urgent Need to Adopt the Principles of Mission LiFE
Shri Yadav further emphasized that EPR Guidelines promote circular economy and ensure environmentally sound management of plastic waste. He highlighted the urgent need to adopt the principles of Mission LiFE and promote recycling to reduce consumption of virgin natural resources.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor, Delhi, emphasized on the green initiatives taken in Delhi in last three years and that the tree cover of Delhi has increased. He also highlighted the importance of greening of Aravallis.
In her address, Chief Minister of Government of NCT of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta highlighted the importance of collective action and behavioural change for addressing plastic pollution. She also underscored the need for innovative technologies in solving the problem of plastic pollution.
The Government Initiatives on Ending Plastic Pollution
Two important publications were released today. The first publication on Government Initiatives on Ending Plastic Pollution covers the steps taken by the Government to address plastic pollution. The book showcased the strength of collective action by all stakeholders including Government and Industry.
A Compendium on Eco alternatives to banned single use plastics was also released. The compendium is a comprehensive compilation of eco-alternatives available across the country.
The National Plastic Waste Reporting Portal was also launched during the event, which is a transformational step in moving away from multi step physical reporting to online reporting.
The Complete Plastic Waste Management Ecosystem
The portal captures the complete plastic waste management ecosystem from waste pickers to waste processing to disposal, ensuring transparency and effective monitoring. The data on plastic waste management for all Urban Local Bodies and District Panchayats from across the country will become available for better planning and waste management.
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The dignitaries presented awards to 21 winners of Ideas4LiFE initiative across seven LiFE themes. As part of one month long pre-campaign activities, 69,000 events were organized in which around 21 lakh people participated across the country.
A National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign with a series of planned initiatives was also launched today. The Campaign includes activities to reduce plastic pollution in Tiger Reserves and urban and rural areas under Swachhta Hi Sewa programme.
Separate focus will be given in reducing use of avoidable single use plastics in government offices especially during Special Campaign 5.0. A Hackathon on eco-alternatives to single-use plastics and engaging youth through creative competition such as poem writing, slogan writing and skits (NukkadNataks) on the theme of Ending Plastic Pollution is part of the campaign.
The Focus of the Government on Addressing Plastic Pollution
Keeping in view the focus of the Government on addressing plastic pollution, a National Expo on eco-alternatives to banned single-use plastic was also organized. The expo saw a vibrant participation by 150 startups, recyclers, and local bodies from across India showcasing innovative technologies and best practices on Eco-alternatives and plastic waste management.
The Expo also had a separate pavilion for Mission LiFE. Selected entries of the painting competition organized by National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) for students were also showcased in a separate stall.
Three Technical Sessions
Three technical sessions were organized on ‘Perspectives of local bodies on plastic waste’; ‘Promoting startups in Eco-alternatives and plastic waste management’; and ‘EPR on plastic packaging: opportunities and way forward’.
The session on local bodies covered best practices in plastic waste management in urban areas and steps under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen phase II. The session on startups covered the innovative technologies on alternative packaging materials, plastic-packaging-free milk delivery and deinking technologies used in flexible packaging.
The session on EPR covered innovative models of reuse of rigid plastic packaging, chemical recycling, deposit refund system, use of recycled plastic content in manufacture of plastic packaging.
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Tags: India plastic pollution initiative 2025, Green India campaign 2025, India environmental leadership 2025, Global fight against plastic waste,