Plastics are a broad category of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that contain polymers as a primary component. Plastics can be moulded, extruded, or pressed into solid objects of diverse shapes due to their fluidity. This adaptability, along with a variety of other features such as lightweight, durability, flexibility, and low cost of production, has led to its widespread application. Plastics are frequently manufactured using human industrial systems. The majority of modern plastics are made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels such as natural gas or petroleum.
It has taken the globe less than four decades to transform plastic from “marvel to menace,” as National Geographic put it. And now that the ban on single-use plastic is on our doorstep, the direct impact of the ban will undoubtedly reduce plastic waste, but it may also result in the loss of capital and important resources of food processing industries, and it is at this point that we must consider the overall impression.
Between 1950 and 2017, 9.2 billion tons of plastic are thought to have been produced. Since 2004, more than half of this plastic has been produced. 400 million tons of plastic were created in 2020. By 2050, it is predicted that yearly worldwide plastic production will exceed 1,100 million tons if current trends in plastic demand hold.
Due to the slow pace of breakdown of plastics in natural ecosystems, their popularity and domination since the early 20th century have led to significant environmental issues. The plastics industry pushed recycling toward the end of the 20th century in an effort to allay environmental worries while continuing to make virgin plastic and shifting the blame for plastic pollution onto the customer.
The major plastics manufacturers questioned the economic sustainability of recycling at the time, and the economic viability has never improved. Plastic collection and recycling are mostly ineffectual due to technological limitations in cleaning and separating post-consumer plastics for optimal reuse. The majority of plastic manufactured is not reused, instead ending up in landfills or polluting the environment.
Plastic pollution, for example, may be found in all of the world’s major bodies of water, causing waste patches in the oceans and harming terrestrial ecosystems. So far, 14% of all plastic waste has been burned, with less than 10% recycled. These waste products frequently run into sewage systems, plugging the mouths of drain holes and causing a spill of murky water over the surface of the ground. This build-up promotes the spread of many illnesses.
Due to public health and safety concerns, the COVID-19 pandemic increased usage of single-use plastics (SUPs), notably in the food service industry. To comply with public health regulations, meal services were limited to takeout, as the use of SUPs was increasing. A plastic ban was imposed by governments across the world in order to limit, if not eliminate, the use of plastic.
The Ice Cream Times (ICT) newspaper decided to lead this effort in order to conserve our world for future generations. We interviewed industry experts to gain a better understanding of the ban’s impact on the ice cream sector, and the results were positive.
The impact of the SUP ban on business
Yarbal Print Pack Pvt. Ltd. founder Ameya Patil views the restriction favourably. He has voiced his interest in the environment in which we live. “A SUP ban is beneficial to maintaining the ecological equilibrium of the ecosystem,” he claims. “As a responsible player in the manufacturing sector, we must be concerned about the environmental effects we have, concentrate on long-term advantages for the environment, and protect our earth for the benefit of everybody”.
Anil Patodi is the Chief Patron of the Small Scale Ice Cream Association, Maharashtra.
On the latest topic of SUP, he has shared his views unanimously with many other manufacturers.
The restriction on single-use plastic, he claims, is extremely unclear. The context in which it was proposed and implemented is unclear and fraught with ambiguity. Many businesses and manufacturers are perplexed as to how to bring about the required adjustments and implement what the government has enforced.
The producers claim that because there was and is still a lot of misunderstanding over barred components, they were not given enough time to find a replacement or alternative for the SUP.
It is true that plastic granules or particles are exceedingly toxic if consumed through food and drink; there is a risk to one’s health that may end in cancer; yet, finding an expedient remedy to replace plastic is as tough as locating a needle in a ‘straw’ heap.
The prohibition, according to Binoy Joseph, Partner of Meriboy Ice Cream, Supreme Foods Industries, looks ambiguous. He claims that the SUP ban’s impacts might not be felt right away. It will take time for waste plastic management and environmental measures to take effect. Considering that Meriboy Ice Cream currently uses wooden spoons and sticks, the limitation might not seem to be particularly effective right now. In the future, we might need to discover different methods to serve ice cream if the restriction extends to little cups.
Turning our attention to Praveen Kommareddy, MD, Hyperpack Pvt. Ltd., we got another indecisive reply.
The ban on single-use or disposable plastic products is a good beginning, but its success will depend on how well it is implemented. The actual enforcement of the law will be in the hands of individual states and city municipal bodies. In the first stage, the central government banned 19 plastic items that aren’t very useful but have a high potential to become litter and made it illegal to produce, import, stock, distribute or sell them. These items range from plastic cups and straws to ice cream sticks. Some disposable plastic bags will also be phased out and replaced with thicker ones. At the same time, it’s unlikely that paper could fully replace plastics for all applications. The main motive of the central government is to ban plastics that are not recyclable, voiced Praveen.
Dinesh Kumar, Proprietor of Team & Sons, believes that a ban on single-use plastics is necessary in our country because the cost opportunity of these products in the environment, both business and nature, is too high, and that it will benefit our company because wooden/paper products and other biodegradable products may replace them. It is also beneficial to the environment because it contributes significantly to the reduction of water and land pollution.
Nothing to do with plastic products related to his business, Rajnath Bose, Owner of Wood Maker, responded that they are only into wooden products. “The ban on single-use plastic products has not affected us nor has had any impact on our work. But I’m sure this has impacted our other ice cream industry people who are still using plastic products and don’t have an alternative for the same”.
Replacement Solution
Maintaining a sustainable approach, Ameya Patil said, “Paper is one of the few packaging substrates that is both renewable and recyclable, and we have paper cartons that are eco-friendly, biodegradable, recyclable, and sustainable. In fact, we state that using paper cartons results in the growth of a tree and preserves environmental ecology. By utilising paper containers, we are not only rescuing the globe from plastic but also assisting in the growth of additional trees! ITC Mills is one of the top paperboard producers who has pledged to DEFORESTATION-FREE PAPER!”
“One unfavourable fact about SUP is that it is not recycleable,” emphasised Anil Patodi. “We can see the problem of plastic waste disposal, which is getting worse every day. Additionally, smaller communities and villages close to larger ones can be seen dumping their plastic garbage too. This adds to the already unmanageable and uncontrolled pollution everywhere. As a result, several significant national and multinational corporations are demanding time from the Indian government to discover alternatives to plastic.
Another major problem is that every business sells little items for between Re. 1 and Rs. 30. They cannot completely remove their items from the kiosk owing to packing issues, so they are all confused about whether the package is practical, adds Patodi.
“There are several developments and research underway. Many institutes, scientists, and engineers are engaged in finding better substitutes and alternatives to SUP. The alternative so far discovered should be biodegradable and inexpensive. As a result, the best choice that emerges is paper cups, wooden sticks, and spoons. This may be repeated until we discover a new material for creating cutlery”, suggested Binoy Joseph.
Praveen is of the view that there should be long-lasting plastic alternatives to replace single-use plastics for effective implementation of the present ban on plastics. The present long-lasting plastic substitutes that are available are stainless steel, wood, natural fibre cloth, paper, cardboard, etc. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also launched biodegradable products. The biodegradable packaging products, which are commonly available in the market, can also be considered as a solution for replacing single-use plastic (SUP).According to Dinesh Kumar, there are 7 top replacements for single-use plastic:• Plastic carry bags to be exchanged with cloth carry bags.• Plastic spoons/stirrers/sticks/cups to wooden spoons/stirrers/sticks/cups.• Plastic straws to paper/stainless steel straws or any other preferred metal.• Plastic toothbrushes to wooden toothbrushes.• Disposable masks or cloth masks.• Plastic pet bottles to stainless steel bottles• Cling films to corn-starch-based films.
The use and creation of ever-increasingly recyclable or biodegradable items might be used as a substitute for SUPs, and I think this is crucial since, as Rajnath Bose warned, using SUPs is already harming nature in ways that we don’t yet fully understand.
The future of the alternate to SUPAmeya Patil is prepared to make a future disclosure when discussing the sustainability of alternatives to SUP. “Yes, unquestionably, what is beneficial to the environment will be in demand in the future. Thanks to social, digital, and print media, there is an international movement to conserve the environment. People are aware of its significance and reasoning. As a result, the prohibition will undoubtedly help to enhance the appearance of our waters and environs. We must continue to be more affordable and of higher manufacturing quality than SUPs. Automation will undoubtedly assist us in solving that problem!”
Top packaging firms such as Tetra Pak and Paperboat are working hard to provide the best alternatives to plastics that will preserve food and reduce food waste, which is also the twin evils of a plastic ban. After all of this, the question of whether small food producers would benefit or suffer arises. How much business or jobs would a plastics manufacturer lose? This ruffle restriction needs a specific response and solution, and matter gives a constant concern to Anil Patodi.
The technology is still in its early stages. As I previously stated, there is an ongoing evolution taking place to investigate and implement the results in order to replace single-use plastic things. All we can do is wait and observe how this development unfolds in the current circumstances. Packaging development is a fast-paced phenomenon, and it is also pricey when compared to plastic, advises Binoy Joseph.
Praveen believes that if the current single-use plastic product ban is successfully implemented, then the need for alternatives to SUP will increase and consumers will become accustomed to using the current alternative packaging goods.
“I see a bright future for the alternate products of single-use plastic, keeping in mind the technological advancements, extensive awareness and comparatively higher educated target audience in the years to come,” articulated Dinesh. “Products like edible seaweed pouches, bamboo cutlery, mushroom-based packing material, and other nature-friendly products have sustainably marked their potential in the market. Young generation startups and entrepreneurs with great technology and innovative supply chain techniques have further boosted the usage of these products by reducing the prices and increasing the shelf life”.
Citing the cost price, Rajnath stated that the biodegradable wooden products or recyclable paper products might serve as a substitute for the SUPs, but this may also impact the manufacturers’ costs and may create an inflation for these products in the current market situation, which has sustained for so long with all the SUPs.
The sustainability of innovation in the long run Responding to the question whether the new innovation will sustain in long-run for the ice cream industry where a plastic cup of Rs.5 or Rs.10 exists, Ameya Patil gave a very prompt reply. “Yes it will. The paper cup manufacturing speed will have to be increased and the cost factor changed. I think Rs. 10 priced products should be the starting rate for SKU in the ice cream industry. The ice cream industry should get out of this Rs. 5 concepts because this selling price will not work out in the long term now. It’s like slow poisoning to the company, which will lead to financial instability.
Anil Patodi declares, “The contribution of single-use plastic to overall plastic trash is 43%, which is enormous within itself.” This plastic waste is often dumped into seas and oceans, resulting in the loss of marine life. Plastic straw particles were found in the post-mortems of 30% of deceased beach turtles, indicating that they swallowed them throughout their lives”.
In South Korea, the use of SUP attracts a fine or penalty, i.e., a fine of up to 27 2,700 (Rs. 1,90,000). I really think that everyone should make new modifications to protect the environment. Recent changes, however, show a dearth of studies on “What the Future Holds.”
The new regulations will be difficult to enforce, but this prohibition will benefit both human and environmental health. As a result, I endorse the ban”.
“The entire trade and commerce is aware that the price of raw materials has skyrocketed, and under these circumstances, products are inevitably going to be pricey.” It’s challenging to sell ice cream cups for Rs. 5 and Rs. 10 in the present environment. Certainly, the rising price of paper for making cups adds to the cost of making them. The world is moving toward new innovation, so its effects may not be noticed right away, but in the long term, we may soon learn to adapt to it. Binoy Joseph gave an rational reply.
Speaking a bit differently, Praveen views that the sustainability of innovation will always depend on the effective implementation of a ban on single-use plastic products. In the absence of plastic products, people will consider the substitute a long-lasting plastic alternative for their use. As far as the ice cream industry is concerned, there is always room for innovations in packaging the products to attract customers.
According to Dinesh, these SUP substitutes or alternatives would take some time to obtain market penetration. Because of SUP’s ease of use and low-cost marketing strategy, it will take some time to completely replace it. But I firmly think that “change is the new constant” and that “changes are tangible and no longer speculative.”
My perspective on whether the new invention would be sustainable in the long term for the ice cream market when a Rs. 5 or Rs. 10 plastic cup exists. Well, even with new innovation, I don’t see Rs. 5 cup lasting in the future because the cost of fundamental components has risen, Dinesh concluded.
Rajnath indicated, “I strongly believe that new innovations may increase the cost of these products which are till date sold at the same price at which they were years ago, i.e., Rs.5 and Rs.10. Other than these products, I think the higher end products will not be affected that much, but one can’t say how this might impact the industry. Time alone is the best answer!!!
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, as rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelms the world’s ability to deal with them. Single-use plastic constitutes 50% of the total usage of plastic in the world, prompting the United Nations to bring all world leaders to negotiate a treaty on the usage of plastic, ‘The Big Polluter’. Like in every other industry, the use of plastics has been inherent in this one too. Due to the increase in awareness of the adverse effects of SUP usage and the environmental degradation associated with it, the Ice Cream Industry is also showing signs of “Packaging Change” to beat the environmental degradation.
Plastic causes adverse health effects on all living beings, whether humans, animals or plants. Governments, scientists, and leaders throughout the world have woken up to the fact that the long-term cost of damage to the environment is far greater than the lower cost of plastic usage.Plastic packaging for ice cream in India, be it candy packing, laminates, use of plastic cups, sticks, spoons etc., is getting a rethink in both the industry and the government alike.
We in the packaging industry are taking it as the next big challenge to save the world environment and to give our future generations a ‘Better Earth’ to live in than an earth piled up with plastic mountains all around.
For our part, we are developing paper-based candy wraps, paper cups, and laminate-free boxes as an alternative to SUP. Some other products are in a very nascent stage of development for replacement of plastic usage. The emphasis is to provide not just an alternate to the usage of plastic but to give an eco-friendly, sustainable, and economically viable solution to the ice cream industry that will meet the standards set by the government and also be able to withstand the extreme temperature conditions that the ice cream has to go through from its production to usage cycle.
We believe that there will be a little readjustment in the psyche of the populace to understand and appreciate the new packaging realities and the underlying reasons for the change.
With more than 65% of the Indian population being less than 35 years of age, this understanding and acceptance of change should be faster in India than in any other part of the world.
We Wish Everyone Happy Plastic-Free Ice Cream!!