Single-Use Plastic Ban And Its Impact On Packaging Industry

By Gaurav Jalan, Founder-Director, Packman Printing and Packaging

The Indian government's plan to ban single-use plastic if enforced will affect nearly 10,000 plastic manufacturing units. The proposed ban will also have an imminent threat on the future of the 3-4 lakh employees working in this industry.

It is estimated that there are about 50,000 plastic manufacturing units in India and about 90% of these are MSMEs. This ban on single-use plastic will affect a large number of industries including FMCG, auto, infrastructure, and many more. Nearly 43% of the plastic usage is for packaging, and mostly single-use. India's FMCG sector, which is highly dependent on plastics, is expected to suffer the most. The industry is already dealing with a consumption slowdown, and this alternate packaging may force up costs even more.  Almost all the top FMCG companies will be affected due to this.

Though there is still, no clarity on which things fall under the bracket of single-use plastics, estimates show that they could constitute 4-7% of raw material used in the manufacturing process. This means that 4-7% of raw materials could be completely removed out in the chain of manufacturing.

This is just an indication of what may happen in other industries. Plastic is also used in the packaging industry and it will also be affected too.

One needs to understand that plastic presents a threat to the environment too if not addressed now it can have serious repercussions too. To save the industry and along with the environment is to find a sustained effort to reduce down consumption and investing in the recycling sector. In simpler words, SUP has no place on this planet.

As far as the packaging industry is concerned already most of the products that are used is recyclable and can be used multiple times. But even the paper that is being used for manufacturing packages it impacts the environment as papers are obtained from cutting down trees. So, in the near future, there is a big possibility that govt may ask to go for plant free paper products.

So, what can be the alternative? Already some countries are using paper that is made without trees. 1 acre of kenaf, it is a plant related to cotton produces a similar quantity of fiber in a year as an acre of yellow pine produces in 20 years. Non-tree-based papers needless bleaching and less energy to produce. The pulp made from non-tree sources is also less costly than that made from trees. Similarly, paper can be obtained from fiber for tree-free paper that includes agricultural residues (e.g. sugarcane bagasse, husks and straw).

If this method is adopted it will not only benefit the environment but will also enhance the production of paper in a short period of time. We need to understand one thing that if the environment is intact only then humankind can survive. Thus, the need of the hour is to strike a balance between preserving the environment and making commercial gains.

 (This article has been authored by Gaurav Jalan who is an eminent industry leader and Founder, and Director of India’s leading packaging company Packman Printing and Packaging.)