NEW DELHI: Environmentalists and green activists have strongly supported the recent directives concerning student health and environmental sustainability, emphasizing that schools and educational institutions must actively discourage and eventually prohibit the use of plastic water bottles.

The discussion follows growing concerns regarding microplastic exposure among children and regulatory measures initiated by authorities. Environmental experts pointed out that relying on plastic containers for everyday hydration poses long-term health risks due to chemical leaching and microplastic degradation, especially when exposed to heat or regular wear and tear.

Reiterating the need for stricter execution of eco-friendly policies in campuses, green advocates noted that schools should serve as primary spaces for inculcating sustainable habits. Instead of allowing single-use or low-grade plastics, institutions have been urged to establish reliable infrastructure that guarantees uninterrupted access to clean, safe, and filtered drinking water for all students.

The conversation aligns with broader judicial and administrative scrutiny surrounding student safety guidelines in schools, where bodies like the National Green Tribunal (NGT) have previously flagged concerns over policies impacting children's health. Experts hope that a collective shift toward sustainable alternatives like steel, copper, or glass containers will drastically curb plastic waste generation in academic environments while safeguarding young minds from avoidable health hazards.