Industry welcomes ban on single use plastic, calls to develop strategies to meet challenges

New Delhi: Following the nationwide ban on identified single-use plastic items, the Department of Environment of the Delhi government held a discussion with all the stakeholders to understand the impact of “alternatives to single-use plastic” on the supply chain of various businesses.  

The decision was held in collaboration with the Indian Pollution Control Association,(IPCA) a Delhi-based NGO at Thyagaraj Stadium.  

Speaking at the event, Ashish Jain, Founder-Director, IPCA said that “This ban is the need of the hour and we should take this positively”.
“All the stakeholders must come and work together with an impactful strategy. Together definitely we can do it and help in implementing the ban effectively” he added.

The Department of Environment of the Delhi government is organizing a 3-day Plastic Vikalp Mela to encourage and promote startups, Entrepreneurs, Traders, Manufacturers, and other stakeholders who are involved in the supply chain of products that serve as alternatives to Single-Use Plastics (SUPs).

The event is happening at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi from 1st to 3rd July 2022.

The panel comprised diverse stakeholders including top leaders of FMCG industries like Perfetti Van Melle, Haldiram Snacks Pvt. Ltd, recyclers like 21 Century Polymers and manufacturers of alternatives to single-use plastic like Prakritii – Cultivating Green.

According to the statement, the discussion circled around understanding the nitty-gritty of Economics of Alternatives to Single-Use Plastic, the importance of awareness generation and building capacities of different stakeholders, and the need for R&D in this particular segment to cope with the ban on identified single-use plastic items.

“It was emphasized to not put pressure on single alternatives like paper or wood as it will result in the harassment of particular resources rather there is need to look for multiple alternatives to bridge in the supply gap of alternatives to single-use plastic,” it said.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a clarion call to ban the single use plastice by 2022, the centre governemnt, banned manufacturing, imports, distribution and sale of 19 items of single-use plastic across the country from July 1.

Items in the list include ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene decoration, plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, etc.