Plastic waste is now found everywhere, from mountain peaks to ocean depths. From arctic circle to Antarctic. Marine life like fish often mistake plastic for food, leading to ingestion and fatal consequences to other animals including humans who eat them. Microplastics tiny plastic particles are now present in water, soil, and even the air we breathe. They are now in human bodies, blood and brains.
Studies suggest we consume around 20 kg of microplastics over a lifetime through food, water, and air. Some plastic additive-chemicals have been linked to infertility and cancer. The production and disposal of single-use plastics significantly contribute to carbon emissions due to use of fossil fuel in producing them. Burning plastic waste releases toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.
Plastic Pollution, Pandemic of Covid-19 and Health of our planet are closely and strangely linked. There is need to learn, understand, comprehend and act on these linkages for sustainable development.
This initiative, "Single-Use Plastic Free University Campus," seeks to inspire academic institutions worldwide to lead by example, adopting eco-friendly alternatives and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. Join us as we explore innovative strategies, share expert insights, and mobilize collective action toward a cleaner, greener future.
Featuring Dr. Joe Thomas, Editor in Chief of Critical Public Health and Director of Learning & Compliance at AICHM, this podcast promises to be a catalyst for change. Register now and be part of the movement to turn the tide on plastic pollution—for our planet and future generations.
From Plastic to Planet-Care: AIIMS Jammu’s Eco-Revolution Begins Healing the planet while healing patients—AIIMS Jammu has taken a decisive step by eliminating plastic water bottles from its campus. Driven by eco-conscious governance and sustainable alternatives, the institute is setting a benchmark for healthcare institutions nationwide.Read More
Dumpster Detectives: How Dumpster Diving is Shaping Campus Eco-Policy At this Campus in USA, students don gloves and dive into campus dumpsters, not for trash, but for truth. They sort waste to understand where things go wrong, influencing campus-wide waste reduction policies. Can you run a waste audit at your hostel or department? Read More
No More Boring Bins: Gamifying App Making Sustainability Fun on Campus This University in China; GreenChain platform uses gamification to make recycling fun and effective. Students track their waste, earn points, and compete with peers, all while learning sustainability habits. Could your campus build a reward-based green system?Read More
From Lecture Halls to Lunch Halls: Jadavpur University's Plastic Purge This Indian University from Kolkata, has officially banned single-use plastics on campus, including water bottles and disposable cutlery. The initiative combines regulatory enforcement with student engagement and aims to make the campus a clean, green model for others to follow. Read More
Game Changers: How UC Students Made Sustainability Second Nature The University from USA is removing single-use plastics from all 10 campuses; bottles, straws, utensils, and beyond. It's a bold move in institutional environmental leadership, with structured implementation timelines and scalable alternatives. Can you push for similar policy frameworks in your campuses?Read More
The Young Visionary Turning Uganda's Plastic Waste Into Wealth While most teens worry about exams, one extraordinary Ugandan teenager is solving her country's plastic pollution problem. Discover how this young innovator is turning waste into opportunity. Her story will inspire you to see waste differently and believe in the power of determined youth. Read More
Message Of The Week From Director's Desk
Single Use Plastic Free University Campus
By Dr Rajendra Shende
Founder Green TERRE Foundation
Former Director UNEP , IIT Bombay alumni Coordinating Lead Author of IPCC 2007
The theme of World Environment Day 5th June 2025, as declared by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) ‘Ending Global Plastic Pollution’. The theme sounds global alarm on yet another unknown dark pandemic. The microplastics that originate from Single Use Plastics (SUP), half of the total plastics produced globally, are bleeding from nearly half a billion tonnes of plastic waste generated by humans every year is silently attacking planet’s fragile ecosystems. Potential risk to ecosystem including 8.5 billion people on the planet due to exposure to harmful chemicals in plastics is turning into existential threat.
Enter World Health Organisation. Fortnight back, on 20 May 2025, the World Health Assembly of WHO formally adopted by consensus the world's first Pandemic Agreement that sets out the tools for global health architecture for future pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Plastic pollution affects every part of the planet, including our bodies, through microplastics. World Environment Day 2025 urges everyone to address plastic pollution by adopting sustainable practices inspired by nature and real-world solutions.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased single-use plastic consumption, reversing years of progress in reducing plastic waste. Plastic Pollution, Pandemic of Covid-19 and Health of our planet are closely and strangely linked. There is need to learn, understand, comprehend and act on these linkages for sustainable development.
Green TERRE Foundation (GTF) India and Australian Institute of Community and Health Management (AICHM) are launching on 5th June launch the visionary global campaign of Single-Use-Plastic Free University Campus. The campaign will be guided by GTF and AICHM. (www.sccnhub.com). Join this action campaign by signing a pledge and starting the action.
