Maharashtra has eased a ban against single-use plastic, a little more than a week after it was imposed, as multinational companies and plastic industry bodies lobbied hard for a softer law.
E-commerce companies can now use plastic packaging for three more months, according to a government order dated June 30, which was published on Tuesday.
During these three months, e-commerce firms will have to come up with a buyback plan to collect used plastic packaging material, ensure its recycling and disposal as well as source alternative packaging material.
The ban which came into effect on June 23, is being opposed by retailers, beverage and bottled water companies, among others that rely on plastic for packaging.
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Representatives of companies including Amazon, H&M, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, as well as plastic lobby groups, met Maharashtra government officials days before the ban, urging them to implement the rule in phases and relax some norms, according to multiple news reports.
A senior government official, who was involved in the talks and did not wish to be identified due to government rules, said changes to the ban had been made after considering the industry demands.
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