Multinationals lobby for a plastic maneuvering room



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Mumbai: Multinationals like Amazon Inc. and H & M press for easing a ban on single-use plastics imposed by the Maharashtra government last week, according to four sources close to the case . 19659003] The ban could dramatically increase costs for companies that rely heavily on plastic for packaging, such as retailers, beverage manufacturers and bottled water vendors.

The ban on Maharashtra, the first action of its kind against plastics, food containers, spoons, forks, glbades and packaging – which, according to the local plastics industry, could cost up to 10%. at 15,000 crores per year and nearly 300,000 jobs

Plastic packaging accounts for nearly half of all plastic waste worldwide. According to the United Nations, a large part is thrown within minutes of its first use.

Company representatives, including Amazon, H & M, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, as well as representatives of the plastics industry. They met with representatives of the Maharashtra government several days before the entry into force of the ban on June 23, urging them to apply the rule in stages and to relax some standards, said the four sources that have refused to be named. the government is giving the industry seven years to find alternatives, "said Neemit Punamiya, general secretary of the Plastic Bag Manufacturers Association of India, who attended the meeting

"It can not happen overnight.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, whose members include online retailers like Amazon India and Flipkart, said in a letter of June 7 to the state government that a such a ban "will not be without its own share of adverse environmental impacts that are largely motivated by problems related to the use of alternatives".

The Internet and Mobile Association of India, which also counts Amazon and Flipkart She asked the state to relax the rules, but did not specify what relaxation she was looking for.

Beverage manufacturers such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola want a derogation from the rules since they order a redemption of empty bottles at a guaranteed price, which will increase costs, said another source familiar with the discussions .

Amazon, Flipkart, Pepsi and Coca-Cola did not respond to requests for comment. H & M said in a statement that it was supporting reuse and recycling, adding that the company had asked the government to clarify the rules and find solutions.

Government eased branding and neighborhood rules for three months

A senior state government official told Reuters that the government could also moderate some aspects of the rule for online retailers or give them more time to comply.

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