Only 60% plastic waste is processed: Environment Minister

New Delhi, June 4: Urging the states to work together for the country to achieve its environment targets within a year, the Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday said that only 60 per cent of 25,000 tonnes of “plastic pollution” generated daily gets recycled. Presiding over a ministerial conference here to mark World Environment Day, which is being hosted by India this year with the theme to combat “plastic pollution”, the ninister said the country now means business. “Some 25,000 tonnes of plastic pollution is generated in the country every year of which only 60 per cent is processed while rest 40 per cent is pure litter... We mean business and will tackle this menace with all strength,” Harsh Vardhan said at the conference.

The ‘State of Environment Report India 2015’ was released by the minister at the conference. Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s achievements in the field of environment, he said that the international community believes that India will achieve its pre-2020 or COP21 targets before time. (IANS)