World Environment Day 2025 – “Ending Plastic Pollution Globally”

Event Date: 5th June 2025

Event Brief Description:

To mark World Environment Day 2025, The Legal Aid Clinic and Pro Bono Club in collaboration with, Centre for Research in Environmental Law and Sustainability (CRELS), Of School of Law, Galgotias University, Nayi Krian Nayi Umang, and IEEE Student Branch of the Galgotias University, conducted a two-phase eco-awareness campaign themed “Ending Plastic Pollution Globally.”

The first phase featured an awareness drive and a hands-on paper bag-making workshop, educating students and local vendors on the harmful effects of plastic and promoting eco-friendly alternatives. The second phase focused on ecosystem welfare by installing feeding and watering stations around the campus for stray animals and birds, especially during the harsh summer season.

The initiative aimed to raise awareness, promote sustainable practices, and foster compassion for animals and the environment, with active student and faculty participation.

Event Detailed Description

A multi-faceted event to raise awareness about the environmental and legal implications of plastic pollution and to promote sustainable practices within the university and its surrounding community. The initiative, carefully structured into multiple phases, effectively combined legal education, environmental responsibility, and student-led civic engagement. The campaign’s central objective was to demonstrate how environmental sustainability can be achieved through informed legal compliance and community-based action, creating a blueprint for a greener, more aware society.

The event commenced with a high-energy awareness rally led by more than 25 spirited volunteers from the Legal Aid Clinic. The rally was designed to draw attention to the environmental degradation caused by plastic pollution and to educate the public on the legal obligations surrounding the issue. Volunteers enthusiastically marched across the university campus and into adjacent market areas, capturing attention with vibrantly designed placards and banners. The posters carried compelling slogans such as “Plastic is drastic Go green, stay clean,” “Ban Single-Use Plastic, Protect Our Planet,” and “Law Says No to Plastic.” These visual messages were complemented by volunteers chanting impactful slogans that highlighted both environmental and legal perspectives on plastic waste. The rally succeeded in attracting significant interest from students, faculty, and local vendors, serving as an eye-opener and conversation starter. It underscored the event’s twin aims—environmental stewardship and legal compliance while setting the tone for the day’s activities.

Following the rally, the focus shifted to a hands-on Paper Bag-Making Workshop, which provided a practical demonstration of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. Students, faculty, and community members actively participated in crafting paper bags using old newspapers, biodegradable glue, and other sustainable materials. The volunteers trained participants in various folding techniques to ensure the bags were durable and aesthetically pleasing. By the end of the session, over 50 eco-friendly bags had been produced. These bags were then distributed to local shopkeepers and street vendors, many of whom continue to rely on banned single-use plastic items.

Alongside distribution, volunteers engaged vendors in informative discussions about the legal framework governing plastic usage. They explained key provisions from the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (amended in 2021), the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and applicable municipal by-laws that ban or restrict the use of single-use plastic products. Special attention was given to the penalties and enforcement mechanisms under these laws, emphasizing the risks of non-compliance. Volunteers also introduced vendors to sustainable packaging alternatives like jute, cloth, and recycled paper and explained their long-term benefits in terms of cost-effectiveness, environmental protection, and legal safety. Notably, several vendors signed voluntary pledges committing to reduce their dependence on plastic and gradually shift to eco-friendly materials. This segment of the campaign effectively translated legal knowledge into real-world behavioral change.

The next phase of the event addressed the issue of stray animal welfare and campus biodiversity, which is often overlooked in mainstream environmental discussions. Recognizing the dire need for water and nutrition among stray animals during peak summer, volunteers strategically installed clay bowls filled with clean drinking water and food grains at multiple shaded and accessible locations throughout the campus. This initiative was designed not just as an act of compassion, but also as a contribution to urban biodiversity and sustainable campus living. Signage near each bowl provided information about animal rights and encouraged students and staff to refill and maintain these resources regularly.

The initiative served several important purposes: it prevented starvation and dehydration among stray dogs, cats, birds, and squirrels; it promoted empathy and animal welfare among the student body; and it instilled a sense of shared responsibility for maintaining a harmonious coexistence between humans and animals. Through this act, the campaign expanded its environmental scope from just pollution control to broader themes of ecological balance and humane engagement. The Posters illustrated the scientific and legal aspects of plastic pollution, featuring facts about microplastics, legislative bans, and civic duties. Demonstrations showed how long it takes for different plastic items to degrade, the benefits of compostable materials, and do-it-yourself solutions for sustainable living. These learning stations were interactive and attracted a wide audience throughout the day, reinforcing the key messages of the campaign.

Department Name : School of Law, Galgotias University

Event Outcome:

The event empowered vendors and students to reduce plastic usage, fostered eco-conscious behavior, and promoted animal welfare. Over 50 paper bags were made and distributed, and feeding stations were set up to support stray animals. The campaign raised legal and environmental awareness, strengthened community participation, and reinforced student leadership in sustainability efforts.

Related Goal