Page 47 - Plastics News September 2021

IN THE NEwS

WWF India And CII Launch Pact To Promote Chennai Corporation

Circular Plastic Economy Draws Up Plans To
Stop Flow Of Plastic

Waste Into The Sea

orldwide Fund for Nature India members of the pact. Members will focus reater Chennai Corporation is
W(WWF India) has partnered with on both long and short-term projects, Gset to launch initiative to control
the Confederation of Indian Industry including detecting barriers to integrate marine plastic pollution and riverine
(CII) in an effort to build a circular system recycled content in packaging, designing plastic pollution.With support from
for plastics. The two organisations have reusable packaging and eliminating The Energy and Resources Institute,
launched the India Plastics Pact, which unnecessary plastic packaging. UKRI the civic body plans to reduce the flow
aims to equip businesses, governments India director Rebecca Fairbairn said: of plastic waste from the city into the
and the plastics value chain to move “Plastics pollution is a global issue and ocean.The civic body has already created
towards a circular plastic economy by the opportunity to reorient plastics as barriers in Cooum and Adyar rivers
2030.The pact is the first of its kind a resource in the value chain is a global to trap plastic waste, cleaning these
to be launched by an Asian country opportunity. “What is most exciting about stretches at regular intervals.However,
and is supported by UK Research and the Plastics Pact is that it brings together plastic waste continues to flow into the
Innovation (UKRI), the Waste and governments, businesses, researchers and sea. River banks, including those of the
Resources Action Programme (WRAP) non-government organisations (NGOs) Cooum, have huge quantities of plastic
and the British High Commission in India. to create sustainable, unified, national waste trapped in the soil and these are
WWF India president Arvind Wable frameworks for circular economies that washed into the sea whenever there is
said: “The India Plastics Pact provides work specifically for each country.” The flood. As a first step to prevent this,
a strong platform for Indian businesses India Plastics Pact is the first in Asia and the civic body is planning to resume
to drive actionable, sustainable solutions part of a growing global movement. What strict enforcement of plastic ban in
and accelerate the transition toward a is most exciting about the Plastics Pact all divisions. Shopkeepers had been
circular economy.”CII director-general is that it brings together governments, warned about illegal use of plastic
Chandrajit Banerjee said: “I am certain businesses, researchers and NGOs to bags last week. The civic body will
that the founding members and supporter create sustainable, unified, national create awareness about plastic pollution
businesses and organisations present frameworks for circular economies that among city residents. “We will sensitise
here will lead the way towards better use work specifically for each country. In communities near the beaches. A
of plastics and create [a] large impact the UK, this has stimulated demand-led massive drive to prevent dumping
that will benefit all sections of society innovation to attain commitment to of plastic waste in the sea will begin
and industry in our country.”Following reduce, reuse and recycle the plastics in shortly. Residents will be asked to stop
the launch, 17 businesses, including our environment. UKRI India is excited dumping waste in the Buckingham
fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) to support the India Plastics Pact and Canal, the Cooum, the Kosasthalaiyar
brands, manufacturers, retailers and the innovative solutions it will develop and the Adyar,” said an official.
recyclers, pledged to join as founding for plastics pollution in India.

47 PLASTICS NEWS SEPTEMBER 2021