UGC directs universities to ban plastic cups, bottles on campus

The UGC directive comes after the Union Environment Ministry issued an advisory, saying India is the global host of this year’s World Environment Day celebrations, the largest UN-led celebration on environment, and the theme for this edition is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all varsities and higher educational institutions to ban use of plastic cups, lunch packets, straws, bottles and bags on their campuses.

The commission has also asked varsities to conduct networking activities on mass awareness on disposal of plastic and cleanliness drives under the Swachh Bharat Mission in municipalities. (Shutterstock)

The directive by the commission comes after the Union Environment Ministry issued an advisory, saying India is the global host of this year’s World Environment Day celebrations, the largest UN-led celebration on environment, and the theme for this edition is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’.

“Ban take-away coffee cup, lunch wrapped in disposable plastic packaging, plastic bags, disposable food service cups, plates, containers made in polystyrene foam and plastic straws. Restrict single-use plastic water bottle and encourage use of refillable bottles instead,” the UGC said in a communication to all vice-chancellors.

The commission has also asked varsities to conduct networking activities on mass awareness on disposal of plastic and cleanliness drives under the Swachh Bharat Mission in municipalities.

“Hosting this prestigious event is a step towards our commitment to undertake global leadership on addressing all forms of pollution, reducing emissions and investing in sustainable development efforts. This is an opportunity for collective efforts to reduce the use of plastic and the HRD Ministry has desired that the students be encouraged to refuse, reduce and re-use plastic product in their daily uses,” the letter said.