Every year, June 5th, World Environment Day (WED) unites citizens, communities, and countries in a collective commitment to environmental stewardship. This year, the theme - Ending Plastic Pollution Globally - is a clarion call to confront one of the planet’s most pressing crises: plastic pollution.
Plastic waste, especially single-use plastic, poses serious threats to ecosystems and public health. In urban India, where plastic makes up 46% of dry waste, rapid urbanization has worsened the problem.
To mark WED 2025, cities across India launched impactful initiatives promoting sustainability and plastic-free living. Mira Bhayandar’s “Thaila Bank” is transforming old clothes from RRR Centres into reusable cloth bags stitched by SHG women. In Pimpri Chinchwad, citizens and the Municipal Corporation held citywide cycle rallies to promote a Single Use Plastic-free future, ending with a green pledge.
Didi Jhola Bank
In Chhattisgarh, the Gurur Shiv Shakti SHG put up a Didi Jhola Bank at the bus stand market, offering sturdy, eco-friendly cloth bags. Lucknow mobilized 10,000+ volunteers for a major Gomti river cleanup drive, whereas in Indore, an ‘RRR Slum Haat’ in Ramabai Basti distributed useful items from RRR Centres to those in need, while encouraging shopkeepers to adopt plastic alternatives.
NDMC celebrated WED 2025 with a vibrant Recycle Mela, launching e-carts, wet-cleaning trolleys, and Action Kits. Citizens took green pledges, explored ‘Waste to Resource’ stalls, and adopted Plastic-Free Shop stickers.
300+ kg plastic waste collected
Down east in in Jamshedpur, the Municipal Corporation and NGOs led a Plog Run and cleanup drive, collecting 300+ kg plastic waste for processing at a Plastic Waste Management Unit. In Raipur, Deputy CM Arun Sao launched a Plastic-Free campaign, pledging for Swachh Bharat Harit Bharat. Meanwhile, Anantnag’s ‘Plastic Bhiksha’ drive continues, with sanitation workers collecting Single-Use Plastic door-to-door for responsible disposal via RRR Centres.
Prakash Kumar Pandey