Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Centre has asked states to ensure people don’t use plastic national flags as ensuring appropriate disposal of the tricolour made of non-biodegradable items is a practical problem.
According to the official reports, while communicating to all the state and union territories, the Union Home Ministry stated that the national flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of the country and hence should occupy a position of honour. There is universal affection and respect for, and loyalty to, the national flag. Yet, a perceptible lack of awareness is often noticed amongst people as well as organisations/agencies of the government, in regard to laws, practices and conventions that apply to display of the national flag.
It also stated that the states and UTs that on the occasions of important national, cultural and sports events, the national flags made of plastic are also being used in place of national flags made of paper. Since plastic flags are not biodegradable like paper flags, these do not get decomposed for a long time and ensuring appropriate disposal of national flags made of plastic commensurate with the dignity of the flag is a practical problem.
