Lucknow: In a major push towards environmental sustainability and campus hygiene, the governor and chancellor of universities in Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, has directed all higher education institutions to strictly eliminate the use of single-use plastic like plastic bottles, cups, plates, polythene bags and adopt eco-friendly practices such as earthen kulhads, paper or leaf-based utensils, etc.Issuing directives to vice-chancellors of state universities and directors of educational institutions, OSD to the governor, Pankaj L Jani, stated that the chancellor has expressed deep concern and sensitivity regarding environmental conservation, the health of students, and the goal of making the campus clean and green.“In recent times, single-use plastic has emerged as a serious challenge to the environment. Our higher education institutions are the most effective medium for raising awareness among the younger generation and conveying a positive message to society,” Jani stated in his letter.Instructions have been issued to higher education institutions (HEIs) to ban single-use plastic within the campus, including administrative buildings, departments and hostels. To ensure sustainable alternatives, campuses have been asked to promote the use of eco-friendly items including earthen kulhads, paper or leaf-based utensils, and bags made of jute or cloth. Glass and steel utensils are also to be encouraged in canteens, hostels and during institutional events, replacing plastic products entirely.Students, teaching and non-teaching staff have been asked to take a pledge to maintain a plastic-free campus before the commencement of a new academic session. In addition, institutions are required to establish separate waste management systems by installing distinct bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, along with proper arrangements for recycling plastic waste.To enforce compliance, higher learning institutions have been asked to constitute dedicated ‘Plastic-Free’ Task Forces to carry out regular and surprise inspections. Moreover, a weekly cleanliness drive will be organised on a fixed day, such as Friday or Saturday, covering all campus areas.
