Maharashtra allows plastic packaging for milk pouches for now

Plastic film manufacturers' next meeting with state environment minister on 15 February 2019

December 13, 2018

344

It is a big relief for milk consumers in Maharashtra as the government has agreed to take a lenient view and allow the use of plastic pouches for packaging of milk until further notice. While the plastic ban in Mumbai was welcomed by the people and environmentalists in general, the condition of recycling enforced on those manufacturing plastic bags for packaged milk caused an alarming shortage of milk in the maximum city.

Manufacturers were not ready to take the entire responsibility of preparing and following the extended producers’ responsibility because they only supply films to dairies which then make milk pouches. As per rules, manufacturers or producers must submit the EPR plan, including modalities of a waste collection system, to the urban development department for approval. The Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturers’ Association in a letter to dairies conveyed its decision to suspend supply of plastic films in view of ongoing actions against the industry. The decision was taken for not preparing an extended producers responsibility by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board.

Maharashtra’s dairy sector had threatened to suspend sale of milk in plastic pouches from 15 December 2018, resulting the state environment minister Ramdas Kadam to call a meeting of the dairy sector to find a solution on this issue. The meeting was attended by dairy representatives, dairy development minister and environment department officials to resolve issues related to EPR and use of pouches. Kadam made it clear that the department has not banned plastic manufacturers from supplying plastic film for packaging of milk and therefore the dairy sector should continue to supply milk in pouches as before.

Kadam said milk suppliers have only been told to ensure a proper ‘buyback’ scheme of used pouches, which they have not yet done. He said that milk pouches must have a deposit of 50 paise to Rs 1 each, and once empty, they have to be returned by customers for recycling in lieu of the deposit.

But that is not being done. The state government has given two months extension to set a recycling mechanism for the used pouches. The next meeting has been scheduled for 15 February 2019 with the dairy sector, plastic film manufacturers and the environment department officials to take stock of the situation and discuss ways and means to overcome the extended producer responsibility issue.

The impact, resilience, and growth of responsible packaging in a wide region are daily chronicled by Packaging South Asia.

A multi-channel B2B publication and digital platform such as Packaging South Asia is always aware of the prospect of new beginnings and renewal. Its 16-year-old print monthly, based in New Delhi, India has demonstrated its commitment to progress and growth. The Indian and Asian packaging industries have shown resilience in the face of ongoing challenges over the past three years.

As we present our publishing plan for 2023, India’s real GDP growth for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 will reach 6.3%. Packaging industry growth has exceeded GDP growth even when allowing for inflation in the past three years.

The capacity for flexible film manufacturing in India increased by 33% over the past three years. With orders in place, we expect another 33% capacity addition from 2023 to 2025. Capacities in monocartons, corrugation, aseptic liquid packaging, and labels have grown similarly. The numbers are positive for most of the economies in the region – our platform increasingly reaches and influences these.

Even given the disruptions of supply chains, raw material prices, and the challenge of responsible and sustainable packaging, packaging in all its creative forms and purposes has significant headroom to grow in India and Asia. Our context and coverage engulf the entire packaging supply chain – from concept to shelf and further – to waste collection and recycling. We target brand owners, product managers, raw material suppliers, packaging designers and converters, and recyclers.

In an admittedly fragmented and textured terrain, this is the right time to plan your participation and marketing support communication – in our impactful and highly targeted business platform. Tell us what you need. Speak and write to our editorial and advertising teams! For advertisement ads1@ippgroup.in , for editorial info@ippgroup.in and for subscriptions subscription@ippgroup.in

– Naresh Khanna

Subscribe Now

As 2023 begins and FY 23-24 unfolds, will you support us?

What lies in store for the packaging industry in India and South Asia this coming year? Inflation, disruption of supply chains or environmental regulation? Or the resumption of high rural demand, continued investment and industry consolidation? Whatever happens, Packaging South Asia will be there, providing clarity and independent technical and business information in India and South Asia and around the world. We are a compact Indian organization bringing a window of fair and rigorous technical and business information that the industry can access this year and beyond. Please support us with your advertising and subscriptions, to keep us going and growing.

Thank you.