From 2 October, Railways to ban single use plastic

August 26:  The Ministry of Raiways has asked to enforce a ban on all single use plastic materials with less than 50 microns thickness from 2 October, 2019. In this connection, the Ministry of Railways issued a circular wherein it was stated that all railway vendors must avoid use of plastic carry bags. Further, the staff were directed to reduce, reuse and refuse plastic products and to use inexpensive reusable bags.

The decision was taken by the Railways in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day Speech, wherein he urged upon the citizens to eliminate single use plastic from the country from 2 October as a mark of tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

The said notification directed  IRCTC to implement return of plastic water bottles as part of Extended Producer Responsibility. It was also intimated that plastic bottle crushing machines will also be provided very soon.

Thus, it is a positive effort on the part of Indian Railways to reduce plastic waste generation in their day to day operations. It is expected that this move by the Railways will definitely go a long way in curbing environmental pollution.