Growth Comes Also Led by the Domestic Beverage Industry amuli And Parle Agro has petitioned the government to delay the ban. Their reason: Paper straws are in short supply and imports are not sustainable due to the high costs involved. Several beverage companies told TOI that they have received instructions from retailers not to supply packs with plastic straws. But, he said, they are sitting on a pile of inventory that has been prepared with them.
“The ban on plastic straws on tetra packs will have a major impact on small businesses, as they are largely dependent on Indian suppliers,” it said. Akhil GuptaMD et fresh juice, “Paper straws have to be imported as their manufacture here is almost nil at present.”
However, retailers said they are taking measures to implement the government’s decision to ban single-use plastics, including plastic straws, cutlery, earbuds and candy sticks.
For example, the FMCG team of German wholesaler Metro Cash & Carry has informed the company’s suppliers that they need to comply with the ban. Similarly, Spencer Retail said the retail chain will follow the guidelines set by the government on single-use plastics. Online grocery retailer Zepto will also be evaluating packs to remove packs that come with straws.
Amul, which requires 1.2 million plastic straws every day for its on-the-go pack of Rs 10, has also proposed to set up its own plants for paper straws.
(With inputs from Udit Prasanna Mukherji)