KVIC’s Paper Packaging in online sales receives thumbs up

28 September 2020: Recently the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed various E-commerce companies for putting a check on excessive use of plastic in packaging of goods. The Tribunal has also directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to take necessary steps to curb plastic pollution by e-commerce companies.

So, two months ago, when Khadi and Village Industries Commission’s (KVIC) ventured into the E-Commerce industry, it made it a point to use only handmade paper packaging materials from day one to prevent plastic pollution. The move is as a part of Khadi’s principle of “Green Chemistry”.

KVIC is specifically using handmade paper envelopes/packets and handmade carton boxes for packaging of articles except for liquid materials where plastic wraps are nominally used to prevent any leakage during transportation. KVIC, which was using plastic for packing face masks for better hygiene, has also specially designed handmade paper envelopes made of banana fiber which it will start very soon.

By using handmade paper packets and carton boxes, KVIC is serving the dual purpose of environmental protection and employment creation. KVIC is using the handmade paper packets manufactured at its Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute (KNHPI), Jaipur.

Commenting on the strategy, KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said “Khadi products are natural and use of handmade paper is the most environmentally conscious way of packaging Khadi products to our customers. Handmade paper packets and boxes are heavier than normal plastic packaging packets and thus costs extra courier charges to KVIC along with the cost of handmade paper. KVIC bears these extra costs on using handmade paper packets to ensure it costs nothing to the environment.”

It is but natural that KVIC won appreciation from its online customers for delivery of goods in paper packets.