PNS | DEHRADUN
The Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, an environmental advocacy group in Dehradun, celebrated the first anniversary of its plastic bank project with a special plastic waste management and awareness programme on Wednesday. The event was held at the foundation’s Plastic Waste Segregation and Learning Centre in Mehuwala, Dehradun, bringing together officials, environmentalists, and experts to deliberate on managing plastic waste and advancing sustainable practices.
Several officials and representatives from government departments of Uttarakhand participated in the event. Dr Sanat Kumar from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) shared insights into the institute’s Plastic-to-Diesel Lab Project, which operates in collaboration with the plastic bank initiative. His presentation emphasised the practical aspects of converting plastic waste into usable fuel, showcasing the project’s potential to address environmental concerns. Dr Ankur Kansal from the Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) highlighted the environmental hazards posed by plastic waste.
He also mentioned the joint efforts of the Pollution Control Board and the SDC Foundation in promoting sustainable waste management practices. The deputy commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Tajbir Singh Jaggi also extended support for expanding the plastic bank project within the State’s pharmaceutical sector. The sanitation inspector of the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) announced plans to establish more plastic banks in collaboration with the SDC Foundation to enhance plastic waste collection in municipal areas. Reflecting on the plastic bank project’s progress over the past year, the founder of SDC Foundation Anoop Nautiyal emphasised on its environmental and social impact and reiterated the foundation’s commitment to promoting cleaner, more sustainable development in Uttarakhand.
