EcoNetwork Manipur has strengthened its ongoing plastic waste management initiative under the Clean & Green Mission, working in coordination with several Self Help Groups in Heirok to address the growing challenge of plastic pollution across the region.
According to a press release issued by its President, Shinthangamba Laishram, volunteers and SHG members have been actively collecting discarded plastic materials from roadsides, drains, and public spaces where waste is often dumped indiscriminately. The collected plastic is then sorted, cleaned, and processed for recycling.
The organisation recently completed the 46th phase of handing over plastic waste to Ashok Traders for recycling and reuse, marking a sustained effort to convert non-biodegradable waste into reusable resources. The initiative, though generating only modest financial returns, has contributed to reducing environmental hazards and improving sanitation in affected areas.
The release noted that unchecked plastic disposal continues to clog drainage systems, leading to waterlogging and flooding, particularly in Imphal and adjoining areas. EcoNetwork Manipur stressed that systematic waste segregation and responsible disposal practices among citizens remain critical to tackling the issue.
Appealing for wider participation, the organisation urged the public to minimise plastic usage and ensure proper segregation of waste to facilitate recycling. It also called upon the Government of Manipur, including concerned departments such as the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Manipur Pollution Control Board, MAHUD, RD & PR, and PHED, to extend institutional support and encouragement to grassroots workers engaged in plastic waste management.
EcoNetwork Manipur maintained that collective and sustained efforts are essential to achieving long-term environmental sustainability in the state.