Flipkart to end single-use plastic in packaging by 2021

E-commerce major Flipkart on Thursday said it plans to eliminate single-use plastic in packaging and move towards a 100 per cent recycled plastic consumption in its own supply chain by March 2021. The company said that as of August 1, 2019, it has achieved a 25 per cent reduction in single-use plastic, through various initiatives across its packaging value chain.

"Flipkart also made a commitment to eliminate single use plastic in packaging and move towards a 100 per cent recycled plastic consumption in its own supply chain by March 2021. Flipkart is working on various initiatives including the introduction of eco-friendly paper shreds, replacing poly pouches with recycled paper bags, replacing bubble wraps and airbags with carton waste shredded material and `2 Ply` roll to name a few," it said in a statement.

"Under this commitment, Flipkart has also filed for the EPR (Extended producer responsibility) and is targeting 30 per cent collection back in first year to begin with. Flipkart also committed to maximize the Recycled content in single-use plastic to boost the recycling ecosystem and reduce virgin plastic consumption," it added.

Over the course of the next year, customers can expect to see more measures in the plan to cut down on plastic including "eComm ready packaging" from brands and recycled paper bags for packaging, it said.

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Kalyan Krishnamurthy, Group CEO, Flipkart said: "Creating alternatives for single-use plastic packaging is one of the significant steps we have taken towards fulfilling our commitment to create a sustainable ecosystem. Our long-term vision is to eliminate the use of plastic and maximise the use of recycled and renewable materials."