The four-day Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS) got off to a robust start today at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, with Chief Guest Smt. Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary, Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers inaugurating the conference. Smt. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary of the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, attended the session as the Guest of Honor.
Among other notable attendees were AIPMA President Shri Manish Dedhia, CPMA President Shri Kamal Nanavati, AIPMA Governing Council Chairman Shri Arvind Mehta, GCPRS 2024 Chairman Shri Hiten Bheda, Pranav Kumar (CPMA), Prof. (Dr.) Shishir Sinha (Plastindia Foundation), Shri Ravish Kamath (Plastindia).
Nivedita Shukla Verma commended the efforts of the AIPMA and the CPMA for organizing a conclave on a topic of paramount relevance, at a time when only ten percent of the total plastic waste generated globally was recycled. She said “ be that as it may, and despite transitioning from a material of wonder to a victim of its own success, the plastic industry remains one of the leading contributors to the economy and in providing employment to millions globally”. She reminded stakeholders that a concerted and collaborative effort across various sectors is necessary.
Smt. Nivedita further told that the government, in a bid to curb plastic pollution, had introduced the Plastic Waste Management Rules in 2016, which mandated extended producer responsibility, enforced stricter recycling package & banned specific single use plastic, and various amendments have also been made to the rules over the years to widen its ambit. She also stressed the role of CIPET and DCPC in staunchly implementing the rules.
Furthermore, she highlighted the critical part that the industry played in this sector. With environmental regulations tightening globally each day, she stressed the need to become a sustainable circular economy at the earliest.
