The current toothpaste tubes on the market are made of plastic laminate sheets layered over a thin layer of aluminum, making them extremely difficult to recycle using traditional methods.

It's been in the works for five years and is part of the company's goal to have all of its products packaged in recyclable materials by 2025.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE), the same plastic used to produce milk jugs and other recyclable plastic bottles, is utilised to make the new tubes that hold Colgate's new Naturals toothpaste range.

It's vital to remember that this tube, like all plastics, isn't biodegradable. These recyclable tubes, on the other hand, are constructed of HDPE plastic, which can be reprocessed into a variety of new products, such as construction materials and packaging.

"As we evaluate alternative packaging materials, product forms, and refillable models to reduce our usage of plastic, this breakthrough might make a huge difference in the marketplace today."

The government has produced a draught to alter the 60-year-old Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, suggesting a penalty of 75,000 rupees or three times the cost of the animal, or a prison sentence of up to five years, in order to deter animal abuse.

The draught proposes three categories of offenses: minor injury, significant injury resulting in permanent handicap, and death of an animal as a result of cruelty. Different penalties have been stipulated in the government's draught proposal, ranging from a fine of Rs 750 to Rs 75,000 and a jail term of up to five years for various crimes. 

For the time being, violations of the rules are non-cognizable offenses under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which means that anyone who violates, or aids in the violation of, any rules made under this section will be punished with a fine of up to one hundred rupees, or imprisonment for up to three months, or both.

According to an official release, Xavier Chauvet De Beauchene of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) praised India's efforts at river regeneration and cleanliness.

IBRD's Senior Water and Sanitation Specialist, Beauchene, expressed his pride in the bank's work in India.

"Who would have guessed five years ago that 550 million people in India would stop defecating in the open?" said Beauchene, according to an official release.

He was alluding to the Swachh Bharat Mission, which involved a tremendous effort to install toilets across the country.

According to Beauchene, the Indian government's strategy has shifted dramatically from focusing just on infrastructure development to working with people and bringing about behavioural change.

He also stressed the significance of data. "It is impossible to fix a problem unless it is first comprehended and measured.."

India has also made numerous efforts in this direction. He noted that there are many chores in the work-in-progress stage, but it's a good start.

Ben Grumble, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Environment, underlined the need for nations to learn from one another's experiences during a session on Digital Water.

In presenting the case of the Thames river cleaning, Usha Rao Monari, Senior Advisor at Blackstone Infrastructure Group and Board, argued that a strong blend of policy and finance leads to effective river cleaning. It's worth noting that the Namami Gange Mission has an advantage in both policy and finances.

Biplab Kumar Deb, the Chief Minister of Tripura, advised citizens to observe the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) laws, adding that anyone seen throwing trash on the road or urinating in public would face legal action.

Deb also remarked that his government has taken on the "difficult task" of keeping public spaces free of the trash.

"Garbage and plastic bags are dumped in the open, obstructing drains and sewer systems. Some people even urinate and spit in public. To put a halt to this threat, we need to increase awareness "While inaugurating a workshop on 'Solid Waste and Liquid Resource Management' here, the chief minister remarked.

The state, he claims, has begun teaching waste-pickers to sort garbage at the source. "Waste collectors will collect garbage from every home in the capital city and sort the plastic from the rest. After that, all of the plastic waste would be recycled "he declared

Deb also claimed that government employees who are underperforming will be forced to retire.

"When compared to larger states like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, or Tamil Nadu, it is easier to keep a small state like Tripura clean. If officials fail to carry out their responsibilities, they will be held accountable. "Some people may even be compelled to retire," he added.

In the Union Budget for 2021-22, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban), a universal water supply scheme for urban areas.

The scheme will be executed over a five-year period with a budget of Rs 2,87,000 crore, according to the finance minister.

It aims to provide universal water distribution in all 4,378 ULBs, with 2.86 crore household tap connections, as well as liquid waste treatment in 500 AMRUT municipalities, according to Sitharaman.

In addition, the government announced the 'Urban Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0' for urban cleanliness.

For further swachhta in urban India, we intend to focus on complete fecal sludge management and waste water treatment, source segregation of garbage, reduction of single-use plastic, reduction of air pollution by effectively managing waste from construction-and-demolition activities, and bioremediation of all legacy dump sites, said the finance minister.

It would be executed over a five-year period, from 2021 to 2026, and a total of Rs 1,41,678 crore has been set up in the Budget for the plan.

He made the remarks at the ongoing 5th India Water Impact Summit, which was organised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies.