"Ministry of Environment and Climate Change will provide one-time financial support for youth-led recycling startups aimed at creating a cleaner and greener planet," Union Minister for Environment and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav announced Guidelines for One-Time Financial Support for Establishing Recycling Plants while taking part in Beach Clean-up Drive at Juhu, Mumbai on September 21. 

The Minister also mentioned that we human beings often forget the importance of cleanliness despite our understanding of resource utilization. "While nature generously provides us with pure resources, our return to the earth often consists of waste," remarked. 

According to the guidelines, "New plastic waste and fishing gear/net recycling units that possess a valid Consent to Establish and located beyond Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and permissible under local bylaws & extend regulations, shall be eligible for assistance. Preference shall be given to new plastic recycling units proposed to be located optimally closer to beach, harbour, fishing hotspots, high tourist footfall area and any other strategically important area where no restriction is imposed by any of the Government institution/body for setting up the unit. Also, priority shall be given to registered fishermen's societies interested in setting up fishing gear/ net recycling units." It further added, "The one-time financial assistance will be provided from CPCB Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) funds including Environmental Compensation as well as through Environmental Protection Fund created under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 for establishing a total of 25 units near blue flag beaches (13 nylon fishing gear/net recycling units and 12 plastic waste recycling units). It will  cover the plant and machinery costs for the washing line, grinder/shredder/crusher, drying equipment, agglomerator, extruder, and pollution control devices (including the Effluent Treatment Plant). The cost of land, as well as civil and electrical works, operation and maintenance expenses, and any other recurring costs, shall be borne by the proponent."

He stressed upon lifestyle changes and environmental measures such as water conservation, promoting technologies that reduce solid waste, creative waste disposal, encouraging innovative methods for waste management, ban on single-use plastics and food waste reduction. 

The Minister also encouraged the citizens to join “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” initiative as inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "By planting a tree, we express our gratitude to Mother Earth, recognizing the dual role of our mothers in nurturing life," he added.

He also spoke that the Government and the Ministry is committed to taking actionable steps, pledging to clean Mumbai's beaches.