The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has written a letter to Union Minister for Environment Prakash Javdekar, requesting him to clear confusion that prevailed among traders' regarding category of items that fall under single use plastic.

The traders' body said that is also not clear whether plastic above 50 micron is allowed or not and if yes then what are the alternatives available that could be promoted to replace single use plastics. So far there is no guideline from the Government on this issue and therefore the trade, commerce and Industry is in a dilemma.

The CAIT has urged that suitable guidelines should be issued immediately to bring an end to single use plastic in the Country. "We have already extended its full support to call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and launched a nationwide campaign from 1st September this year.

CAIT National President B C Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that we are making all efforts to make this campaign a great success since single use plastic is a great danger for environment and represent the epitome of today's throwaway culture. However, there is great confusion prevailing in the markets about the category of items that falls under single use plastic," they said, adding that 98 per cent of single use plastic is used by MNCs, corporate manufacturers and big retailers either in their production line or packaging of finished goods.

The traders are forced to sell goods in whatever packing they receive from the Manufacturer or source of origin. Unless and until, these Companies are not compelled to stop use of single use plastic either in production line or in packing of finished goods, there will always be a occasion for usage of single use plastic at the end of consumer. Therefore, immediate directions should be given to such manufacturers to stop using single use plastic immediately so that after 2nd October no goods should be available in the market with such packing.

 The trade leaders in the letter drew attention of Javdekar towards tens of thousands of industries across country engaged in plastic trade giving employment to crores of people in the Country. "In the event of stoppage of single use plastic, their business activities will come to an end which may also result in unemployment of all such people those working in these companies. In this context, the Government should carve out some viable alternatives so that these industries keep running their business activities and employment is not disturbed," they added.