Come July 1 and single-use plastic will be banned across the country. While the move will help cut down plastic waste generation, it comes a challenge to the makers of beverages like Frooti, Real, Lassi, Tropicana and Maaza. Why? Because the makers of these drinks attach small plastic straws on their tetra packs for users.

Government insiders hint at the preference for paper straws or packs with redesigned spouts over “low-utility products” such as plastic straws.

Taking the concern further, AMUL, India’s largest dairy cooperative, has written to PM Modi asking for a delay in the proposed ban. Not only will the sudden clamp down result in mass wastage of tetra packs already rolled out, it will also negatively impact consumption of milk and dairy products in the country.

In its letter to the PM dated May 28, the milk conglomerate has put forward its case, seeking a delay on the ban. Industry experts peg the small tetra pack business in India at nearly six billion packs a year, responsible for a market worth $790 million.

On the other hand, in view of the forthcoming prohibition, Praveen Aggarwal of the Action Alliance for Recycling Beverage Cartons, which represents beverage firms, said companies were considering importing paper straws from China, Indonesia, and other countries.

Alongside, Parle has also submitted a letter to the Indian government claiming that there is insufficient local manufacture of alternative straws. According to Parle Agro’s CEO, Schauna Chauhan: “Imported paper and biodegradable alternatives are roughly 250 percent more expensive. The economics simply do not add up for a ten-rupee product,” she explained.

Media reports indicate that global beverage giants such as PepsiCo Inc and Coca-Cola are re-designing the strategy. Instead of eliminating the small-pack, the business is looking at alternate straw possibilities.

The letter, signed by AMUL MD R.S. Sodhi, requests for the deadline to be shifted to year-end. The note mentions “enormous relief and benefit to 100 million dairy farmers” as its instituting point.  

The brand, based out of PM Modi’s home state Gujarat, is synonymous with dairy products of quality. In event the government sticks to its July 1 date, AMUL might contemplate selling the already manufactured packs without a straw.