Ministry for lifting mandatory use of jute in packaging

Recommends repealing of Jute Packaging Materials Act, 1987.

The chemicals and fertilisers ministry has recommended repealing of the Jute Packaging Materials Act, 1987, to increase the use of plastic packaging.

The ministry has made its recommendations on the basis of a technical study conducted by the Indian Centre for Plastics in the Environment (ICPE).

The Jute Packaging Materials Act, which makes it mandatory for anyone transporting fertiliser, sugar and foodgrain to use jute bags for packaging, was enacted in 1987. Over 23 years, the rule has been amended and as it stands now, jute bags are to be compulsorily used for sugar and foodgrain packaging.

The ministry is of the view that in a free market economy, marketers should have the freedom to use packaging material and no material should be thrust upon them by a compulsory Act.

The study conducted by ICPE on the life cycle analysis of jute, paper and polymers, has indicated that energy, chemicals and water consumed for production of these raw materials is highest for paper, followed by jute, and then polymers. Similarly, for the preparation of sacks out of these materials, consumption of energy, water and chemicals follow a similar pattern. In the process of preparation of sacks, pollutant emissions stand highest for jute, then paper and least for polymers. Polymer/plastic sacks stand a better resistance compared to its peers — jute and paper — along the parameters of seepage, moisture resistance, aesthetics, performance in humid conditions, availability and cost. In fact, plastics are available at one fifth the cost of jute.

Allaying the fear that polymers are environmental hazard, based on the facts of the study, the ministry is of the view that polymer-woven sacks are fully reusable and recyclable. The extent of waste discarded as solid waste in the system is as low as three per cent of the total usage. Therefore, the ministry believes the government should not impose any kind of fiscal/non-fiscal burden on the polymer industry, since its every step, ranging from manufacture to use, is environment-friendly. Polypropylene and polyethylene granules used as raw material for polymers are used to manufacture various items used in human consumption and are most sensitive to human health.

The study further noted the amount of waste generated in packaging material required per million of bulk commodities would be much higher in case of jute/paper-woven bags. The high use of chemicals in jute and paper has a detrimental effect on the nature’s water systems and health of the workers. The hydrocarbon based jute batching oil (JBO) used for processing jute is a major health hazard, the study adds.