Gujarat's Bold Move: GPCB's Dual-Pronged Campaign to Eliminate Plastic Waste

The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has unveiled an innovative campaign aiming to make Gujarat plastic-free. The initiative includes cloth bag vending machines and reverse vending machines for plastic bottles, which have already recycled 9,500 bottles in two months and sold 5,000 cloth bags within 60 days.

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], August 22: In a groundbreaking initiative to combat plastic pollution, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has launched a dual-pronged campaign aimed at making Gujarat plastic-free. This campaign showcases two innovative utilities: cloth bag vending machines and plastic bottle reverse vending machines.

The GPCB revealed that the reverse vending machines have recycled over 9,500 plastic bottles in the last two months. These vending machines have been strategically located at seven major bus stands across the state, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, and Bharuch, as well as the Udhna railway station in Surat. Launched on World Environment Day on June 5, 2024, these machines mark a significant step toward curbing plastic waste.

In a similar effort, reversible cloth bag vending machines have been installed at prominent temples, offering reusable cloth bags at Rs 5 each. With over 5,000 bags sold within 60 days at temples like Ambaji, Somnath, and Dwarka, the initiative promotes eco-friendly practices among devotees. Plans are also underway to extend this effort to 250 Amul Parlour outlets across the state in the coming month. According to GPCB Chairman RB Barad, the strategic placement of these vending machines aims to reduce plastic bag usage and increase the accessibility of sustainable options.