National Expo on Eco-alternatives

Why is on news? National Expo on Eco-alternatives to banned single use items and Startup Conference 2022

In one of the first initiatives to promote eco-alternatives to banned single use plastics and innovation and startup ecosystem in the country.

The National Expo on alternatives to banned single use plastics items and Conference of Startups -2022, was inaugurated 26^th September, 2022 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai,Tamilnadu.

The Expo and Startup Conference have been jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, and Government of Tamil Nadu.

More than 150 manufacturers of eco-alternatives from across the country are participating in the Expo.

The Eco-alternatives included items made from natural fibres such as coir, bagasse, rice and wheat bran, plant and agricultural residue, banana and areca leaves, jute and cloth.

The National Expo is open to the public, school and college students, entrepreneurs, and manufacturers of eco alternatives to banned single use plastic items.

The Expo and Conference of Startups will spread mass awareness on the availability of eco-alternatives and provide a platform for startups for scaling up their solutions.

Representatives from State Governments, State Pollution Control Boards,concerned central Ministries, financial institutions and banks are participating in the Expo.

The Conference of Startups will provide a platform for exchange views amongst innovators and institutions, and Government Departments supporting startup ecosystems in the country.

Thematic sessions on marine plastic litter – issues, challenges and way forward and manufacturing of eco-alternatives have also been organized.

India took a defining step in addressing the challenge by banning identified single use plastic items, which had high littering potential and low utility, from 1st July 2022.

Awareness of the alternatives to banned single use plastic items and their availability is the key to the success of the ban.