Single-use plastic ban: Manufacturers fear cotton earbud economy could collapse

The proposed single-use plastic ban in India could be bad news for the Rs 50 crore cotton earbuds industry. With earbuds featuring on the list of 12 items proposed to be banned by the government in the first phase, manufacturers are worried that the industry could collapse.

"There aren't any alternatives to the plastic sticks available in India. The industry would be in a desperate situation if this ban is implemented. Several thousand MSMEs are also supplying to the industry. It could result in the death of an ecosystem," said an industry official, who did not want to be named.

While the industry is working on alternatives to the plastic stick, immediate unavailability could pose to be an issue for manufacturers. Globally, companies have replaced plastic sticks with hollow paper sticks. But, making those would require the import of a special kind of wood. And, that would be a costly proposition for domestic manufacturers.

Owing to these challenges, the industry is seeking about three years to find an indigenous solution and transition to a biodegradable alternative. It is also seeking incentives or financial aid from the government for this transition process.

"We have been looking for alternatives and will work towards a biodegradable product. We just need time," said an industry official. Johnson & Johnson and Tulips are two major manufacturers of cotton earbuds in India.

Environmentalists say that smaller plastics are harder to recycle and that's the reason a large quantity of microplastics is found in our food and water.

"Technological alternatives will not emerge unless the people demand them. We need a #PlasticGhataaoPlasticHataao campaign. Then come incentives to scale production and use of sustainable alternatives to plastic, which are commercially available. Venture investment, with public co-funding to partially underwrite risks, would help lab-ready alternatives to be tested in markets to reach commercial scale," said Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).

In a response to CNBC-TV18, a J&J company spokesperson said, "Johnson & Johnson is fully committed to global sustainability efforts, which are also fully aligned with the Indian government’s endeavour to reduce reliance on single-use plastic. As a signatory to our New Plastics Global Commitment, we have pledged to use more recycled materials in packaging; reduce reliance on the single-use model; and ensure that 100 percent of plastic packaging be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025."

Tulips has made a representation to the government and has sought time to find an alternative to the plastic sticks.