Delhi govt to aid startups offering alternatives to single-use plastic

New Delhi, April 29: Delhi government announced on Friday that it will provide assistance to the startups working on the alternatives to single-use plastic. Besides, financial assistance will be provided to those as well who are offering alternatives to single-use plastic but are starting with a low budget. Environment Minister Gopal Rai informed that an action plan for this scheme has been prepared by the state government. “Delhi Government will provide assistance to startups offering alternatives to single-use plastic, for which an action plan has been prepared. To curb single-use plastic and implement the Plastic Waste Management Act, the Delhi Government has drawn up a framework for adopting several alternative models. Along with this, the government will also provide assistance to those who start low on alternative models of single use plastics,” he said. Meanwhile, the environment department also held a training session today in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program. Speaking at the session, Rai said that the usage of single-use plastic contributes significantly to pollution. “Plastic forks, straws, polythene, plastic glasses, and other single-use plastics that cannot be reused are discarded. Many individuals try to destroy it by burning it or dumping it in the ground which poses a major hazard to air, water, and land contamination,” he added. The minister said that awareness campaigns are necessary to stop dependency on single use plastic items. “To limit the usage of single-use plastics, a public awareness campaign is required as well as a mass movement. Unless other options are promoted, it will be impossible to eliminate single-use plastics,” he added. (UNI)