Plastic ban: Prices to skyrocket! Spoon price to jump from 30 paise to Rs 2, plate from 50 paise to Rs 3

With plastic banned in Maharashtra, traders have been forced to import eco-friendly alternatives in bulk from China to cater to the demands of the consumers. Rs 15,000 crore is the total estimated revenue of the packaging industry.

According to a report by DNA, the plastic traders in Maharashtra are placing orders for China-made wine steerer, butter knife, plates, spoons, forks and more that are environment friendly. “We will surely able to replace plastic items with the eco-friendly products from China, for which consumers have to be ready to pay little more. One China-made eco-friendly spoon will cost Rs 2 against earlier 30 paise for a plastic spoon. Similarly, the rate of a China-made eco-friendly plate will be Rs 3 against 50 paise for a plastic plate. The alternatives cost more,” Rajesh Malde, a plastic trader from Matunga, told DNA.

Malde further said that although the traders are ordering the items from China but their main concern is with the local consumers, who are used to paying nominal price for the items. According to him, the problem will not be with the affluent people who can easily afford those but it would be difficult for the middle class and the lower middle class. In order to get those China made items they have to push their budget. However, the traders have no other option but to import them as they also have to sustain in the market.

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The president of Flexible Packaging Industry and Traders Association, Sanjay Shah told DNA that directly or indirectly China will gain from Maharashtra's Rs 15,000 crore packaging market. He further added, "Most of our traders and packaging materials manufacturers have decided not to make any further investment in Maharashtra and in India too because of constant changes in policies. These changes can cost us heavily. Therefore, it is better to wait and watch. In the meanwhile, China is likely to grab the market and get the benefit of the market. Buyers will not wait for us and will buy the alternatives and reasonable products in the market. This ban on the use of plastic items will boost China’s economy."