Ahead of the upcoming new academic session in the schools, the Delhi Government has directed all schools located in the national Capital to restrict students from using plastic covers on their notebooks or books.
The order issued by the Delhi Government's Directorate of Education (DoE) came following the orders of the Delhi High Court banning use of plastic bags and other such material. DoE orders came after Department of Environment communicated to it for the compliance of court order.
Along with the circular issued by Directorate of Education (DoE) a Department of Environment letter to the Director of DoE was also attached. "As you are aware, Govt. of Delhi had imposed ban on plastic cover/ sheet/ film or plastic tube to pack or cover any book including magazine, invitation card or greeting card in Delhi…," it said.
The Department of Environment said that compliance of direction for not to use any kind of plastic covers/ plastic films to pack or cover any book / notebook shall be an appreciated step in reducing the plastic waste generation and safeguarding Delhi's environment.
Further in the wake of direction from Department of Environment DoE issued order to all heads of Government and Government aided and unaided recognised school. "All principals are directed to ensure that students in their respective schools do not use any kind of plastic cover or film for their books or notebooks," said an order by the Directorate of Education (DoE).
"This is of immediate importance in view of the upcoming new academic session when students purchase new books and notebooks for their new class," it added.
Following certain grievances in this regard shared by environment activists, the Delhi government's environment department wrote to the DoE to issue a directive to schools.