Plastic is a versatile and durable material that has revolutionized many industries and our everyday lives. However, the widespread use of plastic has also led to a major environmental problem: plastic pollution. Plastic waste takes hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose, and it can end up in our oceans, rivers, and landfills, harming wildlife and ecosystems.

Recyclingplastic is one of the most effective ways to reduce plastic pollution and conserve resources. When plastic is recycled, it is broken down and reused to create new products. This helps to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the #environment and saves energy and resources.

There are a number of international organizations working on recycling plastic. Here are a few examples:

• The United Nations Environment Programme (#UNEP) is working to promote sustainable plastic management and reduce plastic pollution.

• The World Economic Forum has launched the Global Plastic Action Partnership, which is a public-private partnership working to reduce plastic pollution.

• The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is working to create a #circulareconomy for plastic, where plastic is never wasted or becomes pollution.

There are a number of countries that are majorly promoting the recycling of plastic. Here are a few examples:

• Germany: Germany has a recycling rate of over 90% for plastic packaging. The country has a number of policies in place to promote recycling, such as a mandatory recycling program for all households.

• Austria: Austria has a recycling rate of over 60% for plastic packaging. The country has a number of policies in place to promote recycling, such as a deposit return system for plastic bottles and a mandatory recycling program for all households.

• The Netherlands: The Netherlands has a recycling rate of over 50% for plastic packaging. The country has a number of policies in place to promote recycling, such as a deposit return system for plastic bottles.

India has a recycling rate of around 30% for plastic packaging. This is lower than the recycling rates in many developed countries, but it is still an improvement from just a few years ago. The Indian government has a number of initiatives in place to promote plastic recycling, such as the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

The Indian government is implementing a number of policies to save the earth via recycling plastic. Here are a few examples:

• Swachh Bharat Mission: The #SwachhBharatMission is a nationwide campaign to clean up India and improve sanitation. The campaign has a focus on plastic waste management and has helped to increase awareness of the importance of recycling plastic.

• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016: The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 are a set of regulations that aim to reduce plastic waste pollution in India. The rules require manufacturers and importers of plastic products to collect and recycle a certain percentage of their products.

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): The EPR framework is a policy approach that shifts the responsibility for the end-of-life management of products to the producers of those products. EPR programs for plastic waste are being implemented in a number of Indian states.

There are a number of officers and individuals in India who are working to promote plastic recycling. Some of the most notable include:

• #HariChandana, IAS officer: Chandana has implemented a number of innovative initiatives to promote plastic recycling in Hyderabad, such as using recycled plastic to make furniture and roofing sheets.

• Afroz Shah, founder of Afroz Shah Foundation: Shah has led a massive cleanup of Mumbai’s Versova Beach, collecting millions of kilograms of plastic waste.

• Ramveer Tanwar, founder of Ecobricks Foundation: Tanwar’s organization converts plastic waste into ecobricks, which can be used to build sustainable structures.

Hari Chandana is an IAS officer and global environmental economist who has taken up a number of initiatives on recycling plastic in Hyderabad, India. Here are a few examples:

• Upcycled furniture: Chandana has installed upcycled furniture made from unused tyres and old oil drums at over 120 parks in Hyderabad. This helps to reduce waste and provides a #sustainable alternative to traditional furniture.

• Recycled plastic paver tiles and roofing sheets: Chandana has initiated housing and sanitation projects where paver tiles and roofing sheets are made of recycled plastic. This helps to reduce plastic waste and provides a sustainable and affordable alternative to traditional construction materials.

Hari Chandana’s initiatives on recycling are an inspiration to everyone on the earth because they show that it is possible to make a difference, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Her work is a testament to the power of individual action and the importance of collaboration.

Chandana’s initiatives are also inspiring because they are scalable and replicable. Other cities and municipalities around the world can adopt similar initiatives to reduce plastic pollution and promote #sustainability.

SheInspiresUs #climatechange #HariChandana #India #inspiration #zerowaste #GiveandShare #upcycling