International Plastic Bag Free Day, celebrated annually on July 3 at the global level to spread awareness about the harmful effects of plastic and ways to eliminate the use of plastic bags.
- It also promotes the use of paper cloth bags.
Highlights:
i.The day is a part of the Break Free from Plastic Movement, started in 2016 to provide sustainable solutions to the plastic pollution crisis.
ii.In 2002, Bangladesh became the first country in the world to implement a ban on thin plastic bags.
Background:
The first International Plastic Bag Free Day was observed on July 3, 2008, initiated by Rezero, a member of Zero Waste Europe (ZWE).
- The first edition took place only in Catalonia and later in 2009 ZWE decided to launch it at European level.
Efforts of the Government of India:
i.The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified comprehensive guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging, under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
ii.Under the EPR guidelines, it mandates that the producers of plastic packaging material collect all of their produce by 2024.
- It also specified a system where makers and users of plastic packaging can collect EPR certificates and trade in them.
iii.On 12th August 2021, MoEFCC notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, prohibiting identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, from 1st July 2022.
About Zero Waste Europe(ZWE):
Headquarters– Brussels, Belgium
Executive Director – Joan Marc Simon
