India launches nationwide drive to end plastic pollution

INDIA – In a bold move to tackle the country’s growing plastic waste crisis, India’s Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has launched the ‘One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution’ campaign.

This national initiative is part of the government’s broader Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) program, which promotes sustainable living across all sectors of society.

The campaign aims to encourage citizens to adopt eco-friendly habits, reduce plastic use, and improve waste management practices.

It also supports the development and adoption of sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. These efforts align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of advancing a sustainable lifestyle throughout India.

A wide array of stakeholders will participate in the campaign, including ministries at both the state and national levels, local government bodies, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and community groups.

Public engagement will be driven through a mix of activities such as social media challenges, clean-up drives in public spaces, competitions, and awareness marathons.

The campaign will also host workshops, webinars, and educational sessions to promote long-term behavioural change.

Stakeholders are encouraged to align their efforts with the campaign’s goals and report their progress through the government’s ‘Meri LiFE’ portal.

In a social media post, Minister Yadav stated, “In the run-up to WorldEnvironmentDay, moefcc has launched a nationwide mass mobilisation campaign against plastic pollution.

“The campaign ‘One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution’ aims to nudge citizens to adopt eco-friendly alternatives as envisioned by PM Shri narendramodi ji under Mission LiFE. Let’s move from awareness to action collectively by embracing sustainable living and EndPlasticPollution.”

Boosting innovation in sustainable packaging

Complementing this campaign, India recently launched a separate nationwide initiative to foster innovation in sustainable packaging.

Led by the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), the initiative targets startups and student entrepreneurs, challenging them to develop scalable, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional packaging.

This effort is aligned with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, aiming to modernize packaging practices—particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—while reducing environmental impact.

Speaking at the launch event in New Delhi, IIP Chairman Sunil Jain emphasised the need for packaging innovations that meet both environmental and international trade requirements.

Participants are being encouraged to create solutions using biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable materials that comply with global sustainability standards.

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