Elections are typically bad news for the environment. Think about it. Political parties stick plastic posters everywhere, hand out flyers, put up banners, give out keychains, and give out a whole bunch of other useless trinkets that eventually wind up in the trash. Wary of the environmental toll that elections bring about, the Indian state of Kerala issued an advisory this February, asking political parties to refrain from using single-use plastic materials in poll campaigning, prompting them to opt for eco-friendly options. In March, the Kerala high court even banned the use of flex and non-biodegradable materials during electioneering. Since then, wall graffiti and paper posters have become key alternatives in Kerala. The directive is expected to have brought down the use of plastic significantly this election season, making it the first “green election” we’ve ever seen in India. Can we make this happen for the upcoming 2020 US elections?
The Kerala state in India just conducted a plastic-free election season
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