Maharashtra plastic-ban: Food-delivery to get costlier by up to 30%
After Maharashtra imposed plastic ban last week, restaurant-owners, especially those who deal with home-delivery, are facing the brunt. Not only have their orders dipped by a good 10%-30%, they have also decided to hike the food-delivery charges by 20%-25%, which may lead to losses. They don't have many options: recyclable plastic containers to be used for delivery are costlier than pouches.
Food joint owners using costlier injection molded containers
The Indian Hotels and Restaurant Association (AHAR), based in Wadala, said the hoteliers are now using injection molded containers, which are reusable and recyclable containers with snap-on lids. Such plastic containers are costlier than plastic pouches that cost a meager 60p, said Vishwapal Shetty, general secretary, AHAR, the umbrella body for almost 8,000 restaurants and food joints in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai.
You may get refunded if you return plastic containers
Shetty however added, without disclosing much, that if patrons return those plastic containers, an amount will be refunded. Though they have been directly impacted too, app-based food delivery services like Zomato, UberEats, and Swiggy have wholeheartedly welcomed the move. In fact, Zomato claims to have been insisting on "minimization of plastic even before the ban". However, despite preparations, "we've noticed a drop in orders."
Restaurants yet to catch up, orders still given in plastic-bags
Meanwhile, not all customers are receiving orders packed in alternative materials like cardboard. Urvashi Ojha, a resident of Santacruz (West), for example, received her order from a Bandra restaurant in a plastic bag, even though she "selected the 'go green' option" on Zomato. Likewise, Waqar Naqvi from Lokhandwala received a plastic straw in a McDonald's order through Swiggy Sunday, a day after the ban.
Zomato, UberEats: 'We are trying our best to follow directive'
"We're helping restaurants, but safe packaging material is in short supply and some restaurants were caught off guard. We've advised our delivery executives to not handle plastic-packed products," Zomato said. UberEats said, "We're engaging with all stakeholders to ensure we comply with the directive."
Ban was imposed to curb environmental damage
Maharashtra Government imposed a blanket ban on plastic on June-23, three months after it had banned the manufacture, usage, sale, transport or distribution of plastics. The state-wide ban is an attempt to curb environmental damage. Mumbai alone contributes to 30% plastic waste in India. The items included in the ban are high-quality carry bags, plastic, thermocol decorative items, disposable cutlery and non-woven polypropylene bags.
