A method and an apparatus (100) for electrostatically discharging a primary packaging container (102) made of plastics are disclosed. The method comprises moving a primary packaging container (102) to be electrostatically discharged so as to pass at least one electrode (104, 106, 108), applying an alternating voltage to the electrode (104, 106, 108) so as to generate ionized air in a vicinity of the electrode (104, 106, 108), and rotating the primary packaging container (102) in the vicinity of the electrode (104, 106, 108) so as to be contacted by the ionized air. The apparatus (100) comprises at least one electrode (104, 106, 108) adapted to generate ionized air in a vicinity of the electrode (104, 106, 108) and a moving path (128) for moving a primary packaging container (102) to be electrostatically discharged, wherein the moving path (128) is formed such that the primary packaging container (102) is adapted to pass the electrode (104, 106, 108) and to be rotated in the vicinity of the electrode (104, 106, 108) so as to be contacted by the ionized air.