WEEK-LONG FAIR TO PROMOTE USE OF ALTERNATIVES TO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC: MINISTER

HT Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Ahead of a ban on 19 single-use plastic (SUP) items across the country from July 1, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said a week-long fair will be held in June to showcase startups and manufacturers developing alternative solutions.

He further said that a green startup policy will be launched soon, under which existing SUP manufacturers will receive incentives and financial aid to switch to manufacture of alternative solutions.

“A conference was convened at the Delhi Secretariat with members of 17 new startups and self-help groups working on different alternatives to single-use plastic, with officials from the environment department, NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council), DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee), MCD and Cantonment Board all present to discuss these alternatives and its feasibility,” said Rai.

“...the government has agreed to hold a week-long fair in the month of June where all of these startups and self-help groups can display SUP alternatives they have created. In addition, the government will introduce a new green startup policy for those involved in the manufacture of single-use plastics at this fair, allowing them to enter the market of single-use plastic alternatives,” he added.

The minister also said orders have been issued to the MCD in Delhi to identify and prepare a list of shops involved in the sale of SUPS. “In future, another project will be prepared and launched by linking these shops with startups working on other alternatives to SUP,” he said.

The Delhi government has already announced a ban on SUP items in the Delhi secretariat from June 1.