Disposal of polyester flags post-August 15 raises concern

Disposal and management of machine-made polyester flags are a major concern after India celebrated its 76th Independence Day.These non-biodegradable polyester flags produce more than twice as much carbon dioxide as cotton.The popularity of these flags can jeopardise India’s commitment to lowering carbon emissions in the fight against climate change. Most people who had disposed of their flags are likely to have done it in private, either by burning them or through some other method. This photo shows a flag-making unit in Jhandewalan, Delhi. Photo: Vikas Choudhary / CSE

The Flag Code of India, 2002, mandates that the tricolour must not be simply disposed of along with municipal waste, but needs to be buried or burnt as a whole in private in a method that is consistent with the dignity of the flag. Here, a flag seller strikes a deal with a customer at Okhla Barrage, Delhi. Photo: Vikas Choudhary / CSE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to hoist the National Flag at homes to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Indian independence. This announcement came after the central government decided to allow the use of polyester flags from this year by amending the 2002 Flag Code. Environmentalists have raised concerns over using polyester/nylon material to make the tricolour instead of khadi, which is eco-friendly. Here, a flag lies on bricks at Pandav Nagar, east Delhi. Photo: Vikas Choudhary / CSE

The Centre’s decision to permit polyester national flags is a death sentence for the thousands of workers, mostly rural women who weave and produce khadi national flags. Here, a flag is wrapped around a tree trunk in Gandhi Nagar, northeast Delhi. Photo: Vikas Choudhary / CSE

Dhwaja Satyagraha padayatras, which sought to defend khadi, took place throughout Karnataka and concluded August 14 in Bengaluru. Here, two flags lie on National Highway 24 at Akshardham, Delhi. Photo: Vikas Choudhary / CSE