The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) intensified its campaign to combat plastic pollution on World Environment Day (June 5th, 2025) under the theme "Ending Plastic Pollution Globally." Building on the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBMU 2.0), the initiative focused on public awareness, action, and behavioral change through various activities. Key initiatives included the "Plastic Out, Fabric In" campaign, which established nearly 2,400 kiosks across cities to distribute over 3 lakh cloth bags, plastic collection drives at Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) centers, and the "Swachh Bharat Harit Bharat" green pledge. Cities across India launched initiatives such as cloth bag creation from recycled materials, cycle rallies promoting a single-use plastic (SUP)-free future, and river cleanup drives. A webinar series, "Swachh Talks," addressed plastic pollution solutions, including eco-friendly packaging and cloth bag initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Housing Urban Affairs: Government ministry responsible for the campaign to end plastic pollution.
World Environment Day: An annual event held on June 5th, focused on environmental awareness and action.
Plastic Out, Fabric In: Campaign to replace plastic with fabric, involving the distribution of cloth bags.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi; the source of the notification.
June 5th: Date of World Environment Day and related activities.
WeD: Abbreviation for World Environment Day
Ending Plastic Pollution Globally: The theme for World Environment Day 2025, focusing on the fight against plastic pollution.
Swachh Bharat MissionUrban 2.0 SBMU 2.0: A government initiative focused on urban cleanliness and waste management.
MoHUA: Abbreviation for Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
urban India: Location where plastic makes up 46% of dry waste
SBMU: Abbreviation for Swachh Bharat MissionUrban
WeD 2025: World Environment Day 2025
Plastic Out, Fabric In cloth bag vending machines: Initiative to promote cloth bags over plastic.
RRR centers: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle centers, locations for plastic collection drives.
Swachh Bharat Harit Bharat: A green pledge promoting cleanliness and environmental consciousness.
Mira Bhayandar: City implementing the 'Thaila Bank' initiative.
Thaila Bank: Initiative in Mira Bhayandar that transforms old clothes into reusable cloth bags.
SHG: Self Help Groups, involved in stitching the cloth bags in Mira Bhayandar's Thaila Bank initiative.
Pimpri Chinchwad: City holding cycle rallies to promote a SUP-free future.
Municipal Corporation: Local government body in Pimpri Chinchwad involved in the cycle rallies.
Chhattisgarh: State where Gurur Shiv Shakti SHG put up a Didi Jhola Bank
Gurur Shiv Shakti SHG: Self Help Group in Chhattisgarh that put up a Didi Jhola Bank.
Didi Jhola Bank: Initiative in Chhattisgarh offering ecofriendly cloth bags at a bus stand market.
Lucknow: City mobilizing volunteers for a Gomti river cleanup drive.
Gomti river: River in Lucknow that was subject of a cleanup drive.
Indore: City where an RRR Slum Haat was organized.
RRR Slum Haat: Initiative in Indore distributing items from RRR Centres to those in need.
Ramabai Basti: Location of the RRR Slum Haat in Indore.
NDMC: New Delhi Municipal Council; celebrated WeD 2025 with a Recycle Mela.
Recycle Mela: Event organized by NDMC to celebrate WeD 2025.
Jamshedpur: City where a Plog Run and cleanup drive was organized.
Municipal Corporation: Local government body in Jamshedpur involved in the Plog Run and cleanup drive.
Plastic Waste Management Unit: Facility in Jamshedpur where plastic waste collected from the Plog Run was processed.
Raipur: City where Deputy CM Arun Sao launched a PlasticFree campaign.
Arun Sao: Deputy CM who launched a PlasticFree campaign in Raipur.
Anantnag: City conducting a 'Plastic Bhiksha' drive.
Plastic Bhiksha: Drive in Anantnag where sanitation workers collect SingleUse Plastic.
Swachh Talks: A webinar series hosted by SBMU highlighting Ending Plastic Pollution Globally.
Pradeep Sangwan: Founder of Healing Himalayas, speaker at Swachh Talks.
Healing Himalayas: Organization founded by Pradeep Sangwan.
Sagnik Mukherjee: Founder Director of PepcomIndia, speaker at Swachh Talks.
PepcomIndia: Company of which Sagnik Mukherjee is the Founder Director.
Tamil Nadu: State whose Efforts for Yellow Cloth Bags Manjappai 3R were highlighted during Swachh Talks.
Yellow Cloth Bags Manjappai 3R: Initiative in Tamil Nadu.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Campaign intensifies for the Fight to End Plastic
Pollution on World Environment Day
Plastic Out, Fabric In: Nearly 2,400 kiosks set up
across cities to distribute over 3 lakh cloth bags
Posted On: 05 JUN 2025 8:55PM by PIB Delhi
Every year, June 5th, World Environment Day (WeD) unites citizens, communities, and countries in a
collective commitment to environmental stewardship. This year, the theme - Ending Plastic Pollution
Globally - is a clarion call to confront one of the planet’s most pressing crises: plastic pollution. Building on
the vision of Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
st th
(MoHUA) is committed to amplify this global movement with a series of impactful activities (1 -5 June,
2025) aimed at public awareness, action, and long-term behavioural change.
Plastic waste, especially single-use plastic, poses serious threats to ecosystems and public health. In urban
India, where plastic makes up 46% of dry waste, rapid urbanization has worsened the problem. India has
responded with stricter regulations—banning thin plastic bags since 1999 and prohibiting key single-use items
from July 2022. SBM-U and its 2.0 phase emphasizes sustainable plastic waste management through
reduction, segregation, and eco-friendly alternatives.The Swachh Bharat Mission has shown the power of collective civic action in transforming urban India.
Now, it’s driving a broader push for sustainability and ecological balance. As part of WeD 2025 (1st–5th
June), SBM-U launched: (i) Plastic Out, Fabric In – cloth bag vending machines in high footfall areas, (ii)
Plastic collection drives at RRR centers, and (iii) The Swachh Bharat Harit Bharat green pledge.
To mark WeD 2025, cities across India launched impactful initiatives promoting sustainability and plastic-
free living. Mira Bhayandar’s “Thaila Bank” is transforming old clothes from RRR Centres into reusable
cloth bags stitched by SHG women. In Pimpri Chinchwad, citizens and the Municipal Corporation held
citywide cycle rallies to promote a SUP-free future, ending with a green pledge.In Chhattisgarh, the Gurur Shiv Shakti SHG put up a Didi Jhola Bank at the bus stand market, offering sturdy,
eco-friendly cloth bags. Lucknow mobilized 10,000+ volunteers for a major Gomti river cleanup drive,
whereas in Indore, an ‘RRR Slum Haat’ in Ramabai Basti distributed useful items from RRR Centres to those
in need, while encouraging shopkeepers to adopt plastic alternatives.NDMC celebrated WeD 2025 with a vibrant Recycle Mela, launching e-carts, wet-cleaning trolleys, and
Action Kits. Citizens took green pledges, explored ‘Waste to Resource’ stalls, and adopted Plastic-Free Shop
stickers. Down east in in Jamshedpur, the Municipal Corporation and NGOs led a Plog Run and cleanup
drive, collecting 300+ kg plastic waste for processing at a Plastic Waste Management Unit. In Raipur, Deputy
CM Shri Arun Sao launched a Plastic-Free campaign, pledging for Swachh Bharat Harit Bharat. Meanwhile,
Anantnag’s ‘Plastic Bhiksha’ drive continues, with sanitation workers collecting Single-Use Plastic door-to-
door for responsible disposal via RRR Centres.
In line with the theme of WeD 2025, SBM-U hosted the special 10th edition of Swachh Talks - a webinar
series highlighting - Ending Plastic Pollution Globally. Shri Pradeep Sangwan, Founder, Healing Himalayas
emphasized Sustaining Paradise: Saving the Mighty Himalayas from Plastics, Fuelling Sustainability: The
Business of Ecofriendly Packaging was discussed by Shri Sagnik Mukherjee, Founder & Director, PepcomIndia. Plastic Out- Cloth Bag In: Tamil Nadu’s Efforts for Yellow Cloth Bags – Manjappai & 3R were
highlighted by members of Self Help Groups.
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(Release ID: 2134375)