International Plastic Bag Free Day is annually observed across the globe on 3rd July to create awareness about the issues of plastic pollution and to highlight the effects of plastic pollution on the natural environment ranging from land to marine.
The day also promotes the use of paper bags and cloth bags and eliminate the use of plastic bags.
Background:
i.The Plastic Bag Free Day is a global initiative of Zero Waste Europe that aims to eliminate the usage of single-use plastic bags in the world.
ii.At present the Plastic Bag Free Day is a part of the Break Free From Plastic movement, which unites the international movement of plastic pollution fighters to build a future free from plastic waste.
Efforts to eliminate single-use plastics:
To reduce the usage of single-use plastic bags across the globe, various counties have opted for bans, taxation and other forms of voluntary agreements.
Efforts of the Government of India:
i.The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoFE&CC) has launched an awareness campaign on Single-Use Plastics with an aim to phase out single-use plastics by 2022.
ii.The ministry has brought out the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 for handling the plastic waste in an environmentally sound manner. The rule bans plastic carry bags below 50 microns.
iii.In March 2021 the plastic waste management rules 2016 was amended and identified 12 single-use plastic items such as disposable plastic cutlery.
iv.The government of India has banned the import of plastic waste in India.
About Zero Waste Europe:
Executive Director– Joan Marc Simon
Headquarters– Brussels, Belgium
