India’s small tetra pack industry is worth Rs.6000-crore. Significant brands like Amul, Dabur, Pepsico, Parle, Paper Boat, Mother Dairy, Nestle, and others package beverages from 75 ml to 250 ml in tetra packs.
They sell approximately 6.5 million tetra pack units annually, including ready-to-drink beverages like juices, cold coffees, and soy and dairy products. They come in small tetra pouches with straws to sip and drink.
The industry is now in a fix as the Government is bringing in a ban on single-use plastics, including spoons, straws, forks, and plates, from July 1.
With no practical and feasible alternative available for plastic straws, the industry has sought exemption from the Government. However, on Thursday, the Government declined their request.
If the beverage makers opt for PET bottles, their products’ shelf life will be shorter than the tetra packs, which provide a shelf life of six months. And executives feel that paper straws are not the practical alternative.
Inserting paper straws inside tetra packs will be difficult, and they cost seven to eight times more than plastic straws. There are also issues like the (paper) straws getting moist when they touch a cold surface.
The companies under the Action Alliance for Recycling Beverage Cartons (AARC) have been petitioning the Government for an exemption from the ban. However, the least they expect from the Ministry of Environment is an exemption for 12-18 months to find a reliable alternative for plastic straws.
According to the companies, nearly 80% of the integrated straws come back for recycling along with the tetra packs. Also, they only constitute 0.05 percent of the total single-use plastics.
Praveen Aggarwal, CEO of AARC, says that though the industry appreciates the Government’s effort to create a litter-free nation, there are no commercially viable alternatives for integrated straws that are food safe.
He adds, “We are concerned about the impact on millions of consumers who may not have access to affordable and safe food like milk, juices, and ORS.”