Environment experts, representatives of NGOs, civil society organizations, and academia joined the virtual celebration of World Environment Day organised by Caritas Institute of Development Action and Learning (CIDAL) on June 5, 2023. The theme ‘solutions to plastic pollution’ was a reminder that people’s actions on plastic pollution matter.

World Environment Day is observed annually on 5 June and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment. The theme for World Environment Day on 5 June 2023 focuses on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution. This webinar was attended by 124 participants across Asia.

This Pan Asia webinar was moderated by Ms. Babita Pinto and Dr. Saju M K and Opened with a prayer by Mr. Chintan Manandhar. This Asia Regional Webinar talked about the impact of using plastics and plastic-based products, the need of replacing plastics with reusable products, and the need to promote eco-friendly products.

The Executive Director of Caritas India, Fr (Dr.) Paul Moonjely welcomed all the speakers and participants. He suggested simple steps to address the plastic problem- starting from our own doorsteps, behavioural change, the culture of refilling water than replacing, avoiding buying food from outside, refraining from throw-away culture, water dispensers in offices and hospitals- business solutions for a startup company- model for hospitals in Kerala- became a good practice, go for community acceptable solution to the problem. He said that we should move from Pollution to Solution.

Speaking at the webinar, Mr. Leju Valsan, a highly dedicated and passionate waste management expert shared the challenges and opportunities related to plastic waste management. He said that Caritas is a domestic name in Kerala as there is a hospital named Caritas near his home. He further mentioned government has introduced Plastic Waste Management Rules and identified different stakeholders for different engagements. He informed that 15000 Tons of plastic waste is generated in Urban areas with different categories of plastic. He concluded his speech that the solution to humanity rests in plastic waste management.

Mr. Roshan Rai, a development practitioner with DLR Prerna, a Darjeeling-based NGO working on Zero Waste Himalaya and Integrated Mountain Initiative shared his throughs on closing the Plastic Trap; Solutions, Science and Limitations which includes the plastic story- linear economy and recycling economy. He said the plastic industry is the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gases. He also shared about the Himalayan cleanup drive, polluting companies on the mountains, the definition of single-use plastic, food and waste intersecting, changing the way we Buy, celebrities promoting items that shouldn’t be consumed by kids/mothers, misleading advertisements, top Plastic Waste Trading Regions, reclaim our Food Space: Push Back on the Junk, possible to have zero waste Himalaya, India, and the World- close the plastic tap, relevant solutions at the global level, greater accountability required, a major commitment to a circular economy.

Ms. Devika Jayssell, consultant for MHM & waste management and founder of Mh2 menstrual hygiene hub spoke on the need for sanitary waste management: Addressing Challenges and Issues. She shared the legal framework for Sanitary Waste- CPCB, SWM Rules 2016, the definition and Classification of Menstrual Waste in India, and health concerns of disposal of sanitary pads. She added it takes 500-800 years to decompose plastic, waste generated by three types of sanitary products, Incinerator Technologies- recheck the way of disposing of sanitary pads, adherence to standards for emissions. She shared about Sustainable menstrual waste management in a place called Muhamma. She gave the alternatives for non-biodegradable sanitary pads and said menstrual hygiene and waste management need to be responded to on an urgent basis. She insisted to be environmentally sensitive towards waste collectors and sewage cleaners.

Founder of reCharkha- The Eco-Social Tribe, Ms. Amita Deshpande shared about her organization where they upcycle plastic waste that is hard to recycle. She shared how plastic is collected, spun in charkha to make the fabric, and produce new items. She explained the process of reviving the charkha to solve the problem of plastic waste. Taking encouragement from Gandhi ji’s Charkha movement, she encouraged the participants to be the change that they want to see in the world. She emphasized the need to Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle in our life.