Railways in India Introduce Prohibition on Disposable Plastic Items
In an effort to minimise plastic waste and promote eco-friendly practices among railway travellers, Indian Railways has announced a series of measures. The objective is to achieve a "Plastic Free Railway" by strictly enforcing the ban on single-use plastic materials from October 2nd, 2019.
The Ministry of Railways has instructed its Railway units to implement these measures, including a program for the collection and return of plastic drinking water bottles as part of Extended Producer Responsibility. Plastic Bottle crushing machines will be provided expeditiously to aid in the disposal of these bottles.
All railway vendors have been directed to avoid the use of plastic carry bags and instead opt for inexpensive reusable bags. Railway staff have been instructed to reduce, reuse, and refuse plastic products wherever possible.
To create awareness among railway users and travellers, Information, Education & Communication (IEC) measures will be adapted. This includes administering a pledge to cut the use of plastics on October 2nd, 2019.
Indian Railways Travel has been instructed to enforce a ban on single use plastic material with less than 50 micron thickness, effective from October 2nd, 2019. This ban applies not only to the trains but also to the stations under Indian Railways.
Indian Railways is aligning with broader environmental policies by taking these initiatives. Typically, such initiatives might include banning single-use plastics, promoting sustainable packaging, and encouraging the use of biodegradable materials on trains and at stations.
Indian Railways is working in accordance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, which aim to minimise plastic use and promote sustainable practices across India. This move is part of Indian Railways' commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and contributing to a cleaner and greener India.
- The measures implemented by Indian Railways to achieve a "Plastic Free Railway" align with broader environmental policies that often encompass banning single-use plastics, promoting sustainable packaging, and encouraging the use of biodegradable materials in the field of environmental science.
- As part of its commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, Indian Railways is also working in parallel with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, a policy aimed at minimising plastic use and promoting sustainable practices in general news and policy-and-legislation contexts.
- To address climate change and support environmental science, Indian Railways has commissioned a program for the collection and return of plastic drinking water bottles, a step associated with Extended Producer Responsibility policies, in an effort to combat plastic waste, a pressing concern in climate-change discussions.
