PIB Summary - 6th June 2025 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

India Leads Global Fight on World Environment Day 2025 with the theme: ‘One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution’

Theme & Vision

2025 Theme: “One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution”

PM Modi highlighted India’s cultural tradition of maintaining environmental balance and its proactive stance on plastic pollution.

• Emphasis on a “Whole of Government & Whole of Society” approach.
• Relevance: GS 2 (Governance), GS 3 (Environment and Ecology)

Key Announcements & Initiatives

National Plastic Waste Reporting Portal Launched

• Facilitates online monitoring of plastic waste from collection to disposal.
• Includes all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayats to ensure transparency and accountability.

National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign Launched

• Focuses on Tiger Reserves, urban, and rural areas under the Swachhta Hi Sewa initiative.
• Emphasizes reducing single-use plastic in government offices.
• Involves activities like Hackathons and youth engagement through poems, skits, and slogans.

National Expo on Eco-Alternatives

• Over 150 startups, recyclers, and local bodies showcased innovative solutions.
• Featured a dedicated pavilion for Mission LiFE.
• Student art competition exhibits were highlighted.

Publications Released

• Government Initiatives on Ending Plastic Pollution. highlights multi-stakeholder efforts.
• Compendium on Eco-Alternatives to Banned SUPs. a directory of eco-friendly alternatives.

Awards & Participation

• 21 winners recognized under Ideas4LiFE across 7 themes.
• Pre-campaign month saw 69,000 events with 21 lakh participants nationwide.

Technical Sessions Highlights

Local Bodies’ Role

• Shared effective practices in urban and rural waste management.
• Highlighted the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen Phase II).

Startups & Innovation

• Featured eco-friendly packaging, plastic-free milk delivery, and deinking technologies.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

• Discussed the reuse of rigid plastics, chemical recycling, and Deposit Refund Systems.

Takeaways

•  India is positioning itself as a global frontrunner in combating plastic pollution. 
•  Emphasis on a circular economy through innovation, regulation, and behavioral change. 
•  Integration of policy, technology, public involvement, and inter-governmental collaboration. 

Campaign intensifies for the Fight to End Plastic Pollution on World Environment Day

Context and Theme 

• World Environment Day (June 5) 2025: The theme focuses on ending plastic pollution globally. 
•  The campaign builds on the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0), which emphasizes sustainable urban plastic waste management. 
•  The campaign runs from June 1 to 5, 2025, aiming at public awareness, action, and behavioral change regarding plastic pollution. 
• Relevance: The initiative is relevant to governance and environmental ecology, as it addresses the pressing issue of plastic waste in urban areas. 

Plastic Pollution Challenge

• Plastic Waste in Urban India: Plastic makes up 46% of dry waste in urban areas of India, highlighting the significant challenge posed by plastic pollution.
• Ban on Single-Use Plastics: Single-use plastics and thin plastic bags have been banned progressively, with the latter banned in July 2022.
• Impact of Urbanization: Rapid urbanization has worsened the challenges related to plastic waste management.
• Focus of SBM-U 2.0: The Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0 emphasizes the reduction, segregation, and promotion of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic.

Key Campaign Initiatives

• Plastic Out, Fabric In: Nearly 2,400 kiosks have been set up in cities, distributing over 300,000 cloth bags through vending machines in high-traffic areas.
• Plastic Collection Drives: Conducted at Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) Centres to encourage plastic waste collection and recycling.
• Swachh Bharat Harit Bharat Green Pledge: Launched to encourage individuals to commit to sustainable lifestyle practices and eco-friendly habits.

City-Level Impactful Actions

• Mira Bhayandar: “Thaila Bank” initiative converts old clothes into reusable cloth bags by women’s self-help groups (SHGs).
• Pimpri Chinchwad: Citywide cycle rallies promoting a future free from single-use plastics and encouraging green pledges.
• Chhattisgarh: Didi Jhola Bank launched by Gurur Shiv Shakti SHG offering eco-friendly bags at bus stand markets.
• Lucknow: Over 10,000 volunteers participated in a cleanup drive along the Gomti River.
• Indore: ‘RRR Slum Haat’ distributed essentials from RRR centers and encouraged plastic alternatives among shopkeepers.
• NDMC (Delhi): Hosted a Recycle Mela, launched e-carts and wet-cleaning trolleys, and promoted plastic-free shops.
• Jamshedpur: Plog Run and cleanup activities collected over 300 kg of plastic waste for processing.
• Raipur: Deputy Chief Minister launched a Plastic-Free Campaign supporting Swachh Bharat Harit Bharat.
• Anantnag: Ongoing ‘Plastic Bhiksha’ drive with door-to-door collection of single-use plastics by sanitation workers.

Overall Takeaways

• Multi-City Engagement: The campaign involves multiple cities and stakeholders, showcasing collective civic action against plastic pollution. 
• Sustainable Alternatives: Strong focus on promoting cloth bags as sustainable alternatives to plastic. 
• Empowerment of Women’s SHGs: Highlighting the role of women’s self-help groups in providing eco-friendly solutions. 
• Integration of Awareness and Technology: Use of vending machines for distributing cloth bags and grassroots activism to raise awareness. 
• Reinforcement of Swachh Bharat Mission: The campaign reinforces the role of the Swachh Bharat Mission in driving urban sustainability and plastic waste management. 
• Citizen Participation: Encouraging wide citizen participation to foster long-term behavioral change towards plastic waste reduction.