Dear friends,
I am thrilled to share with you that both Amazon and Flipkart have announced their commitment to cut down single-use plastic.
We did it, yes! Together we did it. I could have written to you yesterday when the news broke but was too emotional to do so. First of all I want to thank you for supporting this campaign. It is because of responsible citizens like you that this petition contributed towards a BIG change. Our collective will and every single effort culminates in something bigger than us. When we really want to change something around us, we surely make that happen. Glad that Government and companies are finally paying attention.
It has been three months since we last communicated and needless to say that there has been progress in speaking with Amazon and Flipkart teams. I have been in touch with Sustainability India Lead at Flipkart and PR head at Amazon. Both of them listened to our concerns, shared practices of what they are doing to reduce single-use plastic use and lower their carbon foot-print. Got to know about their pilot projects and process innovations while I shared my insights and suggestions. Both calls gave me hope and a sense that they are not evading the tough questions.
Here is what they have committed in public domain:
- Flipkart has achieved a 25 percent reduction in single-use plastic, through various initiatives across its packaging value chain. They have also made a commitment to eliminate single-use plastic in packaging and move towards a 100 percent 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. Under this commitment, Flipkart has also filed for the EPR (Extended producer responsibility) and is targeting 30 percent collection back in first year to begin with and committed to maximize the Recycled content in single-use plastic to boost the recycling ecosystem and reduce virgin plastic consumption.
- Amazon India has announced its commitment to eliminate single-use plastic from its packaging by June 2020. They have ensured that its packaging material in the form of corrugate boxes and paper cushions contains as high as 100 percent recycled content and is also fully recyclable. The plastic currently used in packaging mailers and bubble bags is made of 20 percent recycled content, and is also recyclable. Amazon India is aggressively developing plastic-free alternatives for packaging mailers, bubble bags, stretch wrap, and tape used in the packaging which will help the company eliminate all forms of plastic used in its packaging. I am glad Nnaumrata Arora Singh asked me to take up this petition while she focused on other important stuff. She extends her thanks to you as we celebrate this milestone. I am glad that we continued to reach out to decision makers. It’s a victory of humanity.
Warm Regards,
Pracheta
PS : I have been running another petition asking Britannia to stop using single-use plastic trays, please sign and support http://change.org/plasticfreesnacks