Banning phosphate in detergents can be looked into: Javadekar

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has said the government will surely think of banning use of phosphate in detergents when there was an alternative to do so.

“The professor here has given a very good idea. He said why should we use phosphate in detergents when an alternative already exists which is cost-effective; is a better technology and which is clear ...,” he said in an interaction with Indian Institute of Science (IISc) students at a seminar on Climate Change here.

“Why not? We can definitely think of banning use of phosphate in detergents,” he said.

Javadekar said he would take up the issue with the officials of concerned department and see what best practices could be put to use in making phosphate-free detergents.

“I will definitely take this issue with the officials of the concerned department. We will consider, and see what best practices can be (followed to make phosphate-free detergents),” he added.

Earlier, speaking after inaugurating ‘Adamya Chetana Seva Utsav-2015-16’ here, Javdekar said that to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan ‘Clean India, Green India’, Environment Ministry has decided to make environment a people’s movement.

Calling the Bengaluru lakes “treasure of Bengaluru”, he said they have to be restored to its optimum efficiency.

“Therefore we will do yet another comprehensive review in the month of February of all lakes- conservation, preservation and improvement of all lakes in Bengaluru. Central government will also help,” Javdekar said.

“With the help of state government, corporation and other bodies along with people we will make our lakes, our environment clean. Clean lakes, clean Bengaluru will contribute to clean India, green India,” he added.

Adamya Chetana is a voluntary organisation working in the field of social development run by Union Minister Ananth Kumar and his wife Tejaswini.