Hyderabad: Colleges are preparing to transition towards plastic-free campuses in response to the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) latest directives. The UGC has issued comprehensive guidelines to higher educational institutions (HEIs), mandating the systematic elimination of single-use plastics.
According to these guidelines, all HEIs are expected to ban single-use plastics across campus facilities, including canteens, shopping complexes, and hostels, urging institutions to replace plastic items with environmentally friendly alternatives.
The UGC stresses that institutions should lead awareness drives and conduct sensitisation workshops to educate students and faculty on the detrimental effects of plastic waste on soil, water, and public health.
Faculty members are expected to discourage students from bringing non-biodegradable plastic items to campus, while students are encouraged to advocate plastic-free practices within their homes.
Institutions are required to take additional measures to reduce reliance on plastic items. This includes installing alternative facilities such as water units to replace plastic water bottles and promoting the use of cloth and paper bags instead of plastic.
For institutions participating in the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, the UGC has specified that they should extend these efforts beyond campuses, undertaking awareness campaigns in their adopted villages.
In a separate letter to university Vice Chancellors and college principals, UGC secretary Manish R. Joshi said that these guidelines form part of a larger “Swachhata Hi Sewa” campaign.
