Latest news with #InternationalPlasticBagFreeDay
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
Punjab moving towards becoming a plastic-free province: CM Maryam
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that Alhamdulillah Punjab is moving towards becoming plastic-free day by day. The usage of eco-friendly cloth and paper bags is being promoted instead of plastic bags in the province, the Chief Minister said, in her message on International Plastic Bag Free Day. She said, 'Plastic bags give a little convenience to the people in their daily lives, but they cause colossal destruction by remaining in the environment for centuries.' She highlighted, 'Humans are damaging their land, rivers, air, crops and health with plastic pollution. Plastic bags can cause loss of soil fertility, clog drainage systems and exterminate aquatic life. The usage of plastic can cause cancer and other fatal diseases as well.' The CM outlined, 'A culture of implementing environmental laws is being strictly enforced in the markets and factories to eliminate the trend of usage of plastic bags across Punjab. An awareness campaign regarding making Punjab Plastic Free is underway in schools, colleges and communities. Recycling-friendly alternatives are being introduced in Punjab.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
MoM raises awareness about harmful effects of plastic bags
QNA Doha The Ministry of Municipality, represented by Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality, organised an awareness event on the occasion of International Plastic Bag Free Day, which falls on July 3 of each year. The event was held in cooperation with Al Meera Consumer Goods Company and Al Rayan Bank as part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to reduce the use of plastic bags. In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Municipality explained that the event aimed to highlight the harmful effects of plastic bags on the environment and encourage community members to adopt environmentally friendly alternatives, in support of national efforts to achieve sustainability and preserve natural resources for future generations. The Ministry of Municipality, represented by the Health Control Departments in all municipalities, has been implementing Ministerial Resolution No. 143 of 2022 regarding the regulations governing the use of plastic bags since November 15, 2022. This resolution prohibits institutions, companies, and shopping centres from using single-use plastic bags and encourages the use of biodegradable and environmentally friendly alternatives. The ministerial resolution issued in mid-June complements the ministry's efforts to codify the legislative system related to solid waste management.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jamai Raja actor Abhishek Malik on International Plastic Bag Free Day; says 'I keep a reusable cloth bag folded in my car and gym bag'
International Plastic Bag Free Day, observed on 3rd July, is more than an awareness date; it's a reminder to embrace conscious living, question convenience, and commit to choices that protect our planet. For decades, single-use plastic has seeped into every corner of our lives — from grocery runs to everyday essentials — but the tide is turning. More and more people are choosing reusables, making small shifts that together create a meaningful difference. On this occasion, actor Abhishek Malik from Jamai No. 1 reflects on the little habits embraced in his personal life — each a step towards sustainability, each a reminder that real change begins at home. Abhishek Malik, who essays the role of Neel in Jamai No. 1 said, 'International Plastic Bag Free Day is a much-needed reminder that change doesn't always have to be big or dramatic, it can begin with something as simple as saying no to a plastic bag. I'll be honest, there was a time I used to think, 'What difference does one bag make?' But then it struck me, I was using one almost every single day. That's over 300 bags a year, just from me. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Want to Become a Profitable Intraday Trader? Key Lies Here TradeWise Learn More Undo Now, I keep a reusable cloth bag folded in my car and gym bag. It's become second nature, like carrying my wallet or water bottle. I don't even think about it anymore — it's just part of how I live." He further said, "This year's message really resonates: we don't need a few people doing sustainability perfectly, we need millions doing it imperfectly, but consistently. I believe in that. Change doesn't have to be dramatic. It's in that quiet decision to carry your own bag, refuse plastic, and show up for the planet in small ways. That's where real impact lies.' The Jamai Raja actor is impressing the audience with his performance on the show. His chemistry with Simaran Kaur is also appreciated by fans. The actor recently recreated Allu Arjun's look from Pushpa 2 for one of the sequences of his show. Muskuraane Ki Vajah Tum Ho actor Abhishek Malik shows his last clicked selfie on his phone
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Birds that depend on clean waterbodies and wetlands are at risk: PAU expert
Ludhiana: As International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed on July 3, rising use of plastics, including plastic bags, are posing an unprecedented threat to bird population. Ornithologists and conservationists are sounding urgent alarms about the growing menace of plastic pollution — that is choking habitats, contaminating food chains, and pushing several bird species to the brink of collapse. Plastic has turned into a long-lasting hazard in natural ecosystems. Each year, over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally, and a staggering amount finds its way into the open environment. In India, this translates into clogged village ponds, polluted rivers, and shrinking wetlands, all vital habitats for birdlife. "Plastic pollution is now a leading factor contributing to bird population decline across India," Dr Tejdeep Kaur Kler, principal ornithologist and head of the zoology department at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. "Carnivorous and insectivorous birds that depend on clean water bodies and wetlands are especially at risk." Village ponds, traditionally key sources of drinking water and biodiversity, in most villages have become open dumping grounds for domestic waste, especially plastic wrappers, single-use bags, and packaging material. "Even if this waste is thrown far from water bodies, the rains wash it into ponds, which generally are in low lying areas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The result is suffocating layers of plastic waste around aquatic ecosystems right where many birds feed and nest," explains Dr Kler. Plastic impacts birds in multiple deadly ways. Many mistake colorful plastic fragments for food bottle caps resemble eggs or snails, shredded bags look like worms or jellyfish. Ingested plastics fill the gut and block the digestive system, causing starvation and death. Parents also feed these items to their chicks unknowingly, mistaking them for prey. Recent field reports from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam reveal deaths of kingfishers, herons, and egrets with plastics inside their stomachs, she stated. Species such as vultures, eagles, and the Ruddy Shelduck, crans, and many more species of birds that rely heavily on clean aquatic habitats and a balanced food chain are facing alarming declines. "Hundreds of species are witnessing population drops. The Ruddy Shelduck has declined sharply. So have scavenging raptors and fish-eating birds," notes Dr Kler, citing a 2023 national study which identified 178 of 942 recorded bird species in India as needing immediate conservation attention. Another 323 species were classified under moderate conservation concern. The plastic threat extends beyond ingestion. Birds often become entangled in plastic ropes, packaging bands, and kite strings, leading to injuries, restricted movement, and death. Urban species such as kites and pigeons are increasingly seen with deformed limbs or wings due to plastic threads, especially during kite flying festivals. 'Bird nests no longer safe' Even bird nests are no longer safe. Many urban birds now incorporate synthetic fibers and plastic strips into their nests, which leach toxins, retain excess heat, and entangle chicks before they can fledge. Insects, fish, and other prey consumed by birds are themselves contaminated with microplastics tiny fragments that carry hazardous chemicals like DDT and PCBs, known to disrupt hormones and immunity. A 2022 study by the Indian Institute of Science even detected microplastics in crow feces in Bengaluru, indicating how deep and invisible the plastic infiltration runs, she said. Wetlands and marshes, which host a wide range of migratory and resident birds, are particularly vulnerable. Plastic clogs aquatic vegetation, reduces fish nurseries, and alters the food web. In places like Chilika Lake in Odisha and East Kolkata Wetlands, scientists have linked falling bird counts to plastic contamination in water bodies, she stated. 'Weak enforcement of plastic ban' Despite bans on single-use plastics at the national level in 2022 and earlier initiatives like Punjab's 2016 prohibition on plastic bags, enforcement remains weak. Informal dumping continues unabated, and waste collection and segregation mechanisms are often inadequate or non-functional in rural and peri-urban areas. "Birds are indicators of environmental health. When they disappear, it is not just their loss it is a warning to humanity. If plastic continues to poison our rivers, ponds, and skies, the silence of the birds will soon echo our own ecological failure," she stated.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
How young Delhiites are fighting plastic, bagging the right habit
Whether it's getting food delivered at your doorstep or carrying home groceries from the local market, plastic bags are a convenience that have continued to stay even after several attempts to make our lives plastic free. On International Plastic Bag Free Day, today, beating plastic pollution one bag at a time are some youngsters from Delhi-NCR. Overcoming challenges of growing plastic footprint on the environmental while coming up with sustainable options, here's how they are making continuous efforts to keep eco-friendly initiatives strong. Some environmentally-conscious residents of Delhi-NCR are stepping up to tackle the plastic problem at hand. From college campuses to community corners, a growing number of environmentally conscious souls are stepping up to tackle the plastic problem, not just through awareness drives but through real, hands-on action. At Delhi University(DU)'s Sri Venkateswara College, the Enactus team is targeting one of the most plastic-heavy industries: food. 'Through Project Fankaari, we're working to eliminate plastic bags used in food packaging and delivery,' shares Ujjwal Jain, a member, adding, 'We've teamed up with traditional potters to design food-grade terracotta packaging that's not only biodegradable but preserves food quality. These alternatives are about 95% recyclable. Apart from bags, eco-friendly salad and dip bowls, their product line is growing and so is their impact. As students, we believe we have the energy and creativity to imagine new ideas and innovative solutions,' says Ujjwal. 'And being part of the Enactus, we also feel a responsibility to lead by example and push our friends and other students on campus toward more conscious consumption.' Students of Sri Venkateswara College are working towards recycling plastic bags, used in food packaging, with the help of local potters. The sense of purpose is echoed by young volunteers who are busy making Eco Brick on educational campuses across NCR. 'Over the years, people have tried many ways to cut down on plastic bag use — charging for them, encouraging cloth bags — but most of those efforts fade quickly,' says Madhuri Varshney from a Dwarka-based NGO, Rise Foundation, adding, 'What we've realised is that real change happens when you make the solution interactive and fun. So we conduct drives at several colleges across Delhi University as well as schools. After each awareness session, the youngsters are given a task to collect plastic waste from their surroundings and tightly stuff plastic bottles with plastic bags and other often discarded plastics. These bottles are then used to make Eco Bricks. It's an activity that transforms waste into something useful. More importantly, it makes students more mindful of the plastic they use every day. When they submit these eco bricks to us, we use these to build benches and stools for communities, parks, schools, etc.' The Eco Bricks made out of plastic waste are being used to build benches and stools for community spaces. Meanwhile, Recycle Mela has been regularly popping up at College of Vocational Studies (CVS) and the Faculty of Law in DU. 'We also offer a chance to the city locals at various community centres to drop off plastic bags and single-use plastic items in exchange for eco-friendly products,' informs Ruby Makhija, from Why Waste Wednesday Foundation, which organises this mela to make plastic recycling more accessible and rewarding. She adds, 'Plastic bags are a big threat, not just because they clog landfills, but because animals chew on them and marine life ingests them. Through Recycle Mela, we make disposal easy and rewarding. We visit campuses where students hand in their plastic waste, and in return, we give them notebooks made from recycled paper, reusable cloth bags, even copier paper and more. Such a reward-based exchange not only motivates participation but also shows the hidden value of what one usually throw away. Our drive has now expanded to schools, corporate offices, and local communities, with support from MCD and NDMC. We want to make recycling feel accessible and cool, especially for the youth. Plus we update about upcoming mela on our social media, so anyone can find us and join in the initiative.' For more, follow @
