TG’s 'Steel Bank' initiative wins kudos from Centre

What is Steel Bank?

• ■ The 'Steel Bank' provides complete sets of stainless steel utensils for village events, auspicious occasions in the Husnabad constituency to significantly curb single-use plastic consumption
• ■ This initiative, undertaken by Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, aims to reduce plastic waste by reusing steel utensils in charitable activities
• ■ This initiative, undertaken by Minister for State Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar

metro india news I hyderabad

Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav has mentioned the initiative of State Transport and BC Welfare Minister and Husnabad MLA Ponnam Prabhakar to set up a ‘Steel Bank’ to reduce the use of single-use plastic items in auspicious events and other mass events held in rural areas in Husnabad constituency.

He has written a letter to this effect. The letter states that the idea of setting up a ‘Steel Bank’ with complete sets of stainless steel utensils to be used in the auspicious events and other celebrations held in villages would  help reduce plastic consumption and plastic waste at the field level.

The Union Minister explained that the Central Government was taking several steps to control the plastic pollution. He said that measures such as banning the single-use plastic items identified as causing high pollution and having low usage, implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on plastic packaging, reusing items and promoting eco-friendly alternatives were  part of this.

He said that to promote eco-friendly alternatives to plastic, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had released the ‘Compendium of Manufacturers/Sellers of Eco-alternatives’ on the occasion of World Environment Day 2025. He said that this compendium was available on the website of the Central Pollution Control Board.

The Union Minister, in his letter, opined that pollution caused by single-use plastic can be controlled effectively and sustainably if the Central, State Governments, local bodies and all sections of the society work in a coordinated manner.

‘Steel Bank’ stands as a useful idea for environmental protection at the rural level. This initiative, undertaken by Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, aims to reduce plastic waste by reusing steel utensils in charitable activities and will contribute to the promotion of environmentally friendly lifestyles.