Vistara, the joint venture between Tata Sons Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited, is planning to remove all individual-sized 200ml water bottles from its flights to reduce usage of plastic, especially single-use plastic.The initiative, implemented on Delhi-Mumbai flights on July 16, will be extended to all flights across the airline’s network in phases over the coming weeks, the company stated on Wednesday.It informed that the economy class customers, who were hitherto given water in small plastic bottles, will now be served mineral water in environment-friendly paper cups. "Thus far, Vistara has significantly reduced single-use plastic usage and has a further 50 per cent reduction target this year," the company elaborated.Vistara added, "The airline continues to undertake several other eco-friendly initiatives to support its award-winning inflight service with minimal use of plastics by switching to packaging from renewable and bio-degradable sources. Vistara is the first and only carrier in India to serve oxo-biodegradable cutlery and pouch to Economy class customers."According to the airliner, "It has also replaced plastic casseroles with aluminium dishes in economy and china casseroles in Premium Economy, plastic straws and stirrers with paper or wooden ones, and disposable bowls in economy class with reusable ones."It said, "Eliminating the use of bottled water is a major challenge, as a practical, non-plastic alternative is not available for individual units of water. However, Vistara’s China Easy tear films decision comes with a larger consideration of disposable plastic being one of the biggest pollutants that continues to pose a threat to the global environment."

According to Watts, the move is ‘beyond irony’ as the material is non-biodegradable, and it should be removed and replaced.It was proudly placed in the town centre with the words: Plastic Free Chepstow.The townachievement came after four months of preparation and campaigning by the group Plastic Free Chepstow. According to the group, “ plastic was much more practical than the alternatives.”Related StoriesGovt to await High Court orders on plastic banPollution Fight: Fishing for ocean plasticMajor fire in plastic godown in Sonapur area, no casualties.And the group was further mocked for saying on social media that plastic was 'more practical than the alternative.
A historic town has celebrated becoming ‘plastic free’ by hanging a guant banner, made up of plastic.The banner was put China Easy tear films over the stone 13th Century landmark archway in a ceremony to celebrate the status.The ancient border town of Chepstow was granted the status by environmental group Surfers Against Sewage.But Chepstow town councillor and former mayor Armand Watts wants it to be taken down just days after it was hung on the weekend. However, the triangular, blue and white ‘plastic’ flag has been ridiculed by the town’s former mayor. It will be used many times and disposed of responsibly at the end of its life.The town has been mocked for the 10ft banner hanging from a 13th century archway in Chepstow, Montmouthshire, after it was granted plastic-free status by an environmental group