In a push towards cleaner, plastic-free cities, Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Tripura has introduced compostable bags made from PBAT, a biodegradable polymer certified by the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET).
The initiative aligns with the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, targeting rising plastic pollution through citizen engagement and sustainable alternatives. The PBAT-based bags, free from harmful chemicals, decompose within 180 days—compared to the centuries it takes for conventional plastics to break down. Priced at ₹145 per kg for wholesale and ₹160 per kg for retail, the bags are designed to be both accessible and affordable. Local authorities are actively engaging communities to adopt these eco-friendly alternatives and promote responsible waste disposal. Across India, cities are increasingly turning to innovative interventions to reduce single-use plastic (SUP). Trichy City Corporation in Tamil Nadu, in collaboration with GIZ India, launched an awareness campaign in 2022 targeting 220 vendors across three key farmer markets. This led to a significant drop in SUP usage: 2,200 kg avoided at Tennur, 620 kg at KK Nagar, and 300 kg at Woraiyur within a few months. Shoppers were encouraged to adopt reusable cloth bags through the “Thunippai Thiruvizhai” initiative.
Meanwhile, the Himalayan town of Kedarnath implemented a Digital Deposit Refund System (DRS) in May 2022 to curb plastic waste in the Char Dham region. Under this system, shoppers pay a ₹10 deposit on plastic packaging, refunded upon return at designated points. With over 20 lakh bottles recycled and 66 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided, the programme has expanded to Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Badrinath, creating over 110 jobs and improving waste workers’ earnings by 37.5%. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a plastic milk pouch buy-back programme launched by ANIIDCO and SVPMC has led to the collection of 17,600 pouches by November 2024, rewarding consumers with fresh milk. The effort has fostered environmental awareness and community-driven recycling practices. Patiala in Punjab has taken a different route by converting multilayered plastic waste into chipboards through a Plastic Recycling Facility funded under CSR. The boards, resistant to water and termites, are used in furniture and roofing, with the facility processing up to 10 tonnes of plastic daily.
As plastic waste remains a growing urban concern, cities across India are developing solutions that turn environmental challenges into opportunities. The collective shift towards compostable materials, recycling infrastructure, and public engagement reflects a stronger commitment to India’s sustainable development goals.
