World Environment Day 2025
World Environment Day 2025 Theme: Solutions to Plastic Pollution Date: 5th June 2025 Time: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM (IST) Organized by: Caritas India In observance of World Environment Day 2025, Caritas India hosted a powerful webinar on “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”, bringing together a diverse group of thought leaders, innovators, and activists committed to reimagining plastic waste as a resource for sustainability and social change. Over 100 participants from around the world joined this session, making it a truly global dialogue on one of the most pressing environmental challenges. Representatives from Marthandam Integrated Development Society (MIDS) Mrs. Jeseentha and Mr. Shabin, coordinators actively participated in this insightful session and gained valuable new insights. Speaker Highlights: Mr. Paul Koshi – Co-founder, Unified Intelligence Pvt Ltd Topic: Waste = Untapped Wealth Mr. Koshi showcased how discarded plastic wrappers from the food industry can be transformed into eco-friendly construction blocks. These blocks are waterproof, thermally insulated, earthquake-resistant, and used in classrooms, houses, and cold storage units for farmers. His innovation exemplifies how plastic waste can be repurposed into sustainable infrastructure materials that are both cost-effective and environmentally responsible. Mr. Samuel Omondi – National Director, Caritas Kenya Topic: Plastic Pollution Control: Kenya’s Experience Mr. Omondi shared Kenya’s pioneering efforts in banning plastic bags and implementing PET recycling initiatives. Despite early resistance, policy changes and legal amendments led to one of the world’s strictest plastic bag bans. He emphasized that policy enforcement, public awareness, and political will are critical to sustained impact in plastic waste reduction. Ms. Ruchi Sharma – Lead – CSR and Partnerships, KRAFTON India Topic: Plastic-Free Communities: Driving Change through CSR, Partnerships & People Power Ms. Sharma emphasized community participation and the role of CSR in enabling systemic change. She advocated for partnerships among NGOs, citizens, and government bodies to build plastic-free communities. Her message centered on trust, empowerment, and the need for grassroots, volunteer-led movements to shift from short-term cleanups to long-term solutions. Dr. Haridas – Environmental Health Expert Topic: Invisible Threat: Microplastics’ Impact Dr. Haridas drew attention to the pervasive presence of microplastics in our food, water, and environment. From plastic water tanks to seafood, he highlighted the health risks posed by these invisible particles. He recommended practical steps like avoiding shellfish, not microwaving food in plastic, and drinking filtered water to reduce exposure. Dr. Randika Jayasinghe – Environmental Scientist Topic: From Waste to Wealth: Building Sustainable Livelihoods Through Plastic Innovations Dr. Jayasinghe shared inspiring stories of upcycling plastic waste into useful products-shoes, furniture, building materials, and even roads. She called for source segregation, energy recovery from non-recyclables, and product design focused on recyclability. Her message reinforced how innovation can turn plastic pollution into economic opportunities, especially for marginalized communities. This webinar served as a rich learning platform, demonstrating that plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue, but a social and economic challenge and that the solutions must be collaborative, inclusive, and innovative. MIDS is committed to incorporating these insights into our ongoing work for environmental sustainability and community empowerment.