Issue guidelines to remove confusion on single-use plastic: CAIT to Javadekar

Traders' body CAIT has written to Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar to remove confusion on use of single-use plastic and urged him to come out with clear guidelines which asks big players to stop using single-use plastic.

The body is of the view that traders are forced to sell the goods packed in single- use plastic by big manufacturers.

In a letter to Javadekar, the Confederation of All India Traders drew the minister's attention to the confusion prevailing among trade and industry about stoppage of single-use plastic, the traders' body said in a statement.

Such confusions, if not taken cognisance of, may prove to be a roadblock in success of eradication of single-use plastic, CAIT said.

CAIT has urged that suitable guidelines should be issued immediately to bring an end to single-use plastic in the country, it added.

The traders body further said that traders are the last mile connect with 130 crore people of the country and as such can play a major role in extending the call down the line across country through more than 7 crore shopping outlets.

CAIT has already extended its full support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to stop use of single-use plastic and in furtherance of the same, the CAIT has already launched a nationwide campaign from September 1, advising traders across country not to sell or buy single-use plastic or bags and advise their respective customers to bring their own bags for shopping.

"We are making all endeavours to make this campaign a great success since single-use plastic is a great danger for environment and represent the epitome of today's throwaway culture. However, there is great confusion prevailing in the markets about the category of items that falls under single-use plastic," CAIT National President B C Bhartia said in the statement.

He further said, "It is also not clear whether plastic above 50 micron is allowed or not. What are the alternatives available that could be promoted to replace single-use plastic. So far there is no guideline from the government on this issue and therefore the trade, commerce and industry is in a dilemma."