Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) – Hyderabad, the local Chapter of the apex body of the packaging industries in India, organised a one day annual National Packaging Conference on the theme ‘Recycling and Sustainability of Packaging Materials: Facts, Myths & Way Forward’ at Hotel Grand Kakatiya in the city.
The conference was inaugurated by Rajesh Tiwari, Special Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests, Science and Technology, Govt of Telangana. Speaking on the occasion, he said plastics is not the problem, but managing it is the problem. 60 per cent of plastic is recycled currently. The balance is posing the threat. Reduction in consumption of plastics is the new Manthra. The complete ban of plastics may put undue pressure on forests, he observed. We have to take a balanced approach. The government is open to discussions and suggestions. We invite package industry to work with the government in this regard, he added.
Despite all the hue and cry being made about plastic, people are still using plastic bags, said Special Guest Madan Mohan Reddy, Director Aurobindo Pharma. Government has to play an important role in educating and creating awareness, he added.
Later, Tiwari and Reddy unveiled the conference souvenir and the proceedings book.
During the day long conference was discussed Recyclability and Sustainability of Packaging Material; Myths and Reality in use of plastics; Plastics Packaging Waste; Sustainability in Packaging and making plastics work for global good etc and others. About 250 delegates comprised of packaging professionals both from Government and private organizations, students and policy makers are expected to participate in the same. The conference is organised in support with World Packaging Organization, The Asian Packaging Federation.
Avinash Kumar, Head of Global Sourcing, Dr Reddy Laboratories also attended as a speaker.
IIP is set by the Indian Packaging and allied industry and the Government of India, Ministry of Commerce with the objective of improving packaging standards in India informed Dr Gaurav Madhu, Joint Director, IIP Hyderabad in his welcome remarks. Prof (Dr) Tanweer Alam, Additional Director of IIP Mumbai said, “The objective of the conference is to learn and share from each other’s experiences some of the issues and challenges that confront the industry.”
The Packaging industry in India is anticipated to reach US $ 73.6 billion by 2020. It is predicted to grow at the rate 18 per cent annually.