Home / Environment / Pune Students Shun Plastic Tiffins for Steel
Pune Students Shun Plastic Tiffins for Steel
9 Feb
Summary
- Students pledge to use steel tiffins starting June 2026.
- Campaign targets microplastic reduction from children's food.
- Mission City Chakra empowers policymakers for waste reduction.
In a significant move against plastic waste, over 56,000 students across Pune schools have taken a pledge to transition to steel tiffin boxes. This initiative, commencing in June 2026, aims to eliminate microplastic contamination in children's food and water. The Steel Tiffin Pledge is spearheaded by the Centre for Sustainable Development as part of Mission City Chakra, focusing on source reduction.
Schools like Vanaz Parivar Vidya Mandir and LS Jadabai English School have already begun pilot projects and fully adopted the practice. Principals cite health concerns associated with heated plastics leaching into food as a primary motivator. The campaign emphasizes individual action for collective impact, with awareness flowing from children to parents.
This effort aligns with broader global concerns about plastic pollution. The United Nations reports millions of tonnes of plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems annually. By targeting school lunchboxes, a daily source of plastic use for young children, the initiative seeks to foster sustainable habits and protect both health and the environment.
