Page 51 - Plastics News January 2023

FEATURE

(31.12.2022). ing material from seaweed has been er Responsibility on plastic packaging
The introduction and use of alter- developed as innovative alternative to are unique and have led to the estab-
natives to banned single use plastic single-use plastics. lishment of world’s biggest frame-
items have led to creation of new National Expo on Eco-Alternatives work for EPR implementation on plas-
employment opportunities, promote to single use plastic and start up con- tic packaging. The implementation of
innovation and development of new ference 2022 held on 26th and 27th EPR on plastic packaging will lead to
business models. The manufacturing September 2022 in Chennai. More reduction in littered and unmanaged
of alternatives with eco-friendly ma- than 150 manufacturers of eco-alter- plastic waste in the country, promote
terial in the MSME sector will further natives from across the country are circular economy of plastic packaging
support development of Atmanirbhar participating in the Expo. The eco- waste promote development of new
Bharat. alternatives included material made alternatives to plastics and develop-
from sea-weed, bagasse, rice and ment of new business models move
India had piloted a resolution in 2019 towards sustainable plastic packaging.
for addressing pollution caused by wheat bran, rice stubble, plant and The EPR framework is implemented
single use plastics which was adopted agricultural residue, banana and areca through a centralized online portal
by the 4th meeting of United Nations leaves, jute and cloth. ensuring ease of doing business.
Environment Assembly in 2019. Prakriti- Messenger of the Earth
was launched as a mascot of sustain- The Guidelines for EPR in plastic
To develop alternatives to single use packaging promote an environmen-
plastics “India Plastic Challenge – ability and protection of environment tally conscious lifestyle that focuses on
Hackathon 2021” was organized by spread awareness amongst general ‘mindful consumption’ through the re-
the Ministry of Environment, Forest public. A public movement is be- use of rigid plastic packaging and sus-
and Climate Change, for start-ups ing built on elimination of single use tainable plastic packaging instead of
and students of colleges and Univer- plastics by NSS, NCC and more than ‘mindless and destructive consump-
sities. Two startups in the area of al- 100,000 eco-clubs in schools and col- tion’ of single-use plastics. The Guide-
ternatives to single use plastics were leges. Puneet Sagar and Swachh Sagar lines for EPR in plastic packaging give
awarded. A completely biodegradable Surakshit Sagar Campaign have show- a push for reducing plastic footprint in
alternative to thermocol from paddy cased the importance of collective ac- packaging through the use of recycled
straw waste (Parali) has been devel- tion in maintaining clean beaches and plastic content in manufacturing of
oped. This innovation will use Parali coasts. plastic packaging material.
and also replace thermocol. Packag- The Guidelines for Extended Produc-

January 2023 PLASTICS NEWS 51