Commerce ministry advises e-commerce companies to phase out single-use plastic

NEW DELHI: Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an advisory to e-commerce companies such as Flipkart and Amazon operating in India to gradually phase out single-use plastic in packaging their products. The advisory is in compliance with the government’s mission to reduce the usage of environment damaging plastics in the country.

The companies have also been advised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to develop sustainable packaging material which will contribute to reducing India’s plastic footprint globally.

“With an earnest ambition to stop consumption of single use plastic, these companies are being advised to consider gradually curtailing use of single-use plastic in packaging products being sold through their e-commerce platform,” an official said.

The DPIIT is also planning the implementation of some reforming steps under the Plastic Waste Free – ‘Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign’ – 2019.

The communication was issued to the heads of over 57 of industrial estates to participate in the campaign by making sure the proper disposal of plastic waste from their respective close urban local bodies. 

Similarly, industry and traders’ associations have been asked to sensitise all their members to participate in the campaign and to make India free from single-use plastic