PM Modi Calls for ‘Revolution’ Against Single-Use Plastic Waste

India to become plastic-free soon? Plastic pollution is the new enemy PM modi wants to tackle.

File image of PM Narendra Modi. 

(Photo Courtesy: PTI)

Plastic pollution is the new enemy that PM modi wants to tackle. In his 'Mann Ki Baat' address, he announced a movement to end 'single-use plastic' that would begin on 2 October.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 25 August, urged people to observe the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year as a day to make India plastic-free.

The call for a mass movement came days after Modi's Independence Day's address in which he had urged people to shun single-use plastic to protect the environment.

“This year, on 2 October, when we celebrate Bapu’s (Mahatma Gandhi’s) 150th birth anniversary we shall not only dedicate to him an India that is open defecation-free but also shall lay the foundation of a new revolution against plastic by the people themselves, throughout the country. This year we will celebrate Gandhi Jayanti as a day to make India plastic-free.”

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

He said people from all strata of the society should celebrate Gandhi Jayanti this year as a day to make "Mother India plastic-free".

More than 400 million tons of plastic are produced globally every year. Single-use plastic material like plastic packaging makes up 47% of all this plastic waste, according to UNEP figures.

The prime minister urged all municipalities, municipal corporations, district administrations, gram panchayats, government and non-governmental bodies to work towards ensuring adequate arrangement for collection and storage of plastic waste.

“I request all the organisations and every citizen to ensure adequate arrangement for collection and storage of plastic waste. I also appeal to the corporate sector to come out with ways and means for appropriate disposal of all accumulated plastic. It can be recycled, it can be transformed into fuel. This way, we can accomplish our task of ensuring safe disposal of plastic waste before this Diwali.”

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Diwali festival this year falls on 27 October.

The prime minister also urged people to participate in the annual 'Swachhta Hi Seva' or 'cleanliness is service' campaign, which will begin on 11 September this year.

At the current rate of use, by 2050 there will be about12 billion tons of plastic litter crowding landfills and the environment, UNEP figures show.

(With inputs from PTI)