India’s Mission to End Plastic Pollution

Context:

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change commemorated World Environment Day 2025 on 5th June with the theme ‘One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution’ and launched multiple national initiatives, including the National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign.

Key Theme and Participation:

The central slogan was “One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution.”
Over 69,000 events were conducted across India with participation from around 21 lakh individuals.
Celebrations followed a Whole of Government and Whole of Society approach involving industry, students, civil society, and government departments.

High-Impact Initiatives:

PM Narendra Modi launched ‘Ek Ped MaaKe Naam’ and planted a Banyan sapling under the Aravalli Green Wall Project, targeting the reforestation of 700 km of the Aravalli range.
Flagged off 200 electric buses under Delhi's sustainable transport initiative, promoting green urban mobility.

Campaign Against Plastic Pollution:

National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign (NPPRC) launched from 5th June to 31st October 2025, including:
- Focus on tiger reserves, urban and rural areas, and government offices.
- Activities: Hackathon, slogan/poem/skit competitions, public outreach via Swachhata Hi Sewa, and Special Campaign 5.0.

Regulatory and Technological Interventions:

Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024:
- Mandates online annual reports submission by ULBs and Panchayats by 30th June.
- National Plastic Waste Reporting Portal launched on 5th June 2025.
Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021:
- Prohibition of specific Single Use Plastic (SUP) items from 1st July 2022.
- Compliance drives led to 861,740 inspections, 1,985 tonnes of SUP seized, and ?19.82 crore in fines imposed.

Promotion of Eco-Alternatives and EPR Mechanism:

Compendium of Eco-Alternative Manufacturers/Sellers (nearly 1,000 units) launched by MoEFCC and CPCB.
IS 18267 notified for food-serving utensils made from agri by-products.
Centralized EPR Portal:
- Registered: 51,838 Producers, Importers, Brandowners& 2,948 Plastic Waste Processors.
- ~157 lakh tonnes of plastic packaging waste recycled.
Revised Guidelines for Environmental Compensation (based on polluter pays principle) issued by CPCB in August 2024.