ARTICLE | Plastic-Free Packaging
Commerce platforms commit to go plastic-free The COVID-19 pandemic has brought us face to face with new challenges in tackling plastic pollution. These include the availability of certain materials with suppliers, inability to test new materials and closure of sorting and recycling centres in the markets. Yet, we need to remain as committed as ever to shifting to a circular economy for plastics Radhika Matta | Editorial Assistant
P
lastic is incredibly valuable. It assists in getting products to consumers efficiently and securely. It might be the option with the lowest carbon footprint. Yet, far too much plastic ends up in our environment. According to a global research report, the flow of plastic could triple by 2040. This has to stop because we dream of a plastic free world and believe zero waste is the way to get there. “Despite difficult conditions, we will not turn our backs on plastic pollution. It is important for us and for the rest of our industry. Our larger aim is to chop the number of plastic we have a tendency to use and quickly transition to a circular economy,” says Alan Jope, CEO, Unilever. The corporate took a step further and developed a framework: Less Plastic. Better Plastic. No Plastic.“Whenever we use plastic, we ensure we are choosing better options - recycled and recyclable plastics. We make sure to keep plastics in our system and out of the environment, by buying post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. We are ramping up what proportion recycled plastic we have a
36 November 2021 | www.urbanupdate.in
tendency to use and around 11 per cent of our plastic footprint is from PCR today. This will provide us a push to achieve 25 per cent by 2025.” A number of stores and corporations are tackling challenges and moving towards an improved plastic journey. They are trying to improvise novel ways of working that embrace chemical exercise of plastic that is hardest to recycle. Recycled plastic packaging conjointly has got to meet constant technical and safety standards as virgin plastic, particularly within the case of food packaging.It is hard to achieve our ‘better plastic’ goals unless there is enough high-quality post-consumer recycled material available. Zero waste stores in India – from Dehradun to Chennai – will facilitate abandoning single-use plastics in everyday groceries. During the COVID-19-induced lockdowns, several online zero waste stores surfaced and offered plastic-free deliveries. The zero waste movement is slowly gaining momentum in India. A slew of bulk outlets, refill stores, zero waste essential outlets and sustainable living brands have conjointly also popped up in both the online and the physical retail sphere.
Green mantra
“We cut plastic packaging at the source to prevent plastic from going to the landfill,” said Debayani, Co-founder of Green Mantra. It has been exciting to witness the evolution of zero waste stores in Bangalore, where Green Mantra, situated in Marathahalli, carries packaging-free, preservatives-free groceries, and offers home-refills of spices, food and even dosa batter. Their home refill model makes going zerowaste a lot easier. Green Mantra co-founders Debayani, Prachee and Shikha’s collective love for the environment encouraged them to start Green Mantra and unfold the message of a simple, affordable, accessible, and eco-friendly lifestyle.
EcoIndian zero- waste store
“It was difficult to persuade the customers to carry their own bags and containers in the beginning. However, we have successfully built a small community, the members of that have started caring about nature over the past few years.” – Prem Anthony Founded by childhood friends Prem Anthony and Pradeep Kumar, EcoIndian flagged as an organic grocery store, but pivoted to a zero waste model after the plastic ban in Chennai. They stock everything, from regular groceries to dips and snacks in reusable glass bottles or compostable paper packaging – this act as an inspiration for many in the city to shop more consciously.
Assav organics
“As soldiers, we have defended the motherland. Now we need to defend
