New Delhi: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched a nationwide mission under the banner “One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution”, commemorating World Environment Day 2025 with unprecedented citizen participation, bold policy steps, and technological innovations aimed at eliminating plastic waste from every corner of India.
The campaign, which culminated in a national celebration on June 5 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, saw around 69,000 pre-event activities rolled out across the country, engaging more than 21 lakh people under a unified theme to combat plastic pollution.
PM Modi Leads by Example, Flags Off E-Buses & Plants Banyan Tree
The World Environment Day celebration featured key environmental initiatives led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including:
- Tree Plantation under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’: PM Modi planted a banyan sapling as part of the Aravalli Green Wall Project, aiming to reforest 700 km of the Aravalli range.
- Launch of 200 Electric Buses in Delhi: Promoting clean and sustainable urban mobility under Delhi Government’s green transport initiative.
- The event included participation from civil society, students, industries, and government bodies, demonstrating a “Whole of Government, Whole of Society” approach.
National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign Launched (June–October 2025)
As part of extended Environment Day celebrations, the Ministry rolled out the National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign (NPPRC). This five-month initiative will:
- Target plastic waste in Tiger Reserves, urban, and rural areas under the Swachhta Hi Sewa banner.
- Focus on reducing single-use plastics (SUPs), especially within government offices under Special Campaign 5.0.
- Engage youth via hackathons, poem and slogan contests, and Nukkad Nataks (street plays) themed around eliminating plastic pollution.
Tech-Driven Plastic Waste Reporting & Compliance
To streamline monitoring and enforcement, the Ministry has taken multiple digital steps:
- Launch of National Plastic Waste Reporting Portal (June 5, 2025) for mandatory online submission of annual reports by all Urban Local Bodies and District Panchayats.
- Around 8.6 lakh inspections have been conducted nationwide to enforce the 2021 ban on SUPs. Over 1,985 tonnes of banned plastic items have been seized and ₹19.82 crore in fines imposed.
Eco-Alternatives Boosted, EPR Guidelines Show Results
India’s fight against plastic pollution is now powered by innovation and circular economy principles:
- A compendium of 1,000+ eco-alternative manufacturers and sellers was launched, offering a practical guide to replace banned SUPs.
- IS 18267 standard was developed by BIS for food utensils made from agricultural by-products.
Under the EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) Guidelines notified in 2022:
- Over 51,000 producers, importers & brand owners and 2,600 plastic waste processors are now registered.
- Nearly 157 lakh tonnes of plastic packaging waste have been recycled.
Environmental Compensation & Enforcement Mechanism Strengthened
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revised its guidelines for calculating Environmental Compensation based on the Polluter Pays Principle in August 2024. Actions by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) have intensified, with enforcement, seizures, and penalties continuing against violators of the SUP ban.
Union Minister Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh Highlights Government’s Commitment
This update was provided in the Rajya Sabha by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, reaffirming the government’s resolve to promote environmental stewardship through integrated and inclusive campaigns.
