Nandini Milk by Karnataka’s KMF, supplied via BAMUL has rolled out India’s first biodegradable milk packets, moving away from traditional plastic and polythene packaging. This is a major milestone in sustainable dairy packaging in India. If Nandini scales this up, it could prevent thousands of tons of plastic waste annually, possibly inspiring other cooperatives to follow. The model is biodegradable, compostable, and compost-to-agriculture friendly and could become standard in the sector.

What is new with Nandini packaging initiatives?

• Corn-starch biodegradable sachets are being piloted in Kanakapura- Hunasanahalli and Shivanahalli villages near Bengaluru.
• Around 200,000 eco-packets (200 ml–1 L) are distributed daily as part of the pilot.
• The corn-based material closely resembles current polythene packaging in feel but breaks down within approximately 6 months, compared to plastic’s that remain on earth for about 500 years!

Why does it matter?

• Plastic reduction: Nandini uses 20–25 lakh plastic covers daily—this shift could significantly reduce Bengaluru’s urban plastic waste.
• Circular farming model: After use, the biodegradable material can be composted into organic fertilizer.
• National precedent: This is the first large-scale move by an Indian milk federation toward biodegradable dairy packaging

Current stage and next steps:

• The initiative launched around World Environment Day, on June 5, 2025
• Early consumer feedback reports no leakage, no compromise in milk quality, and high satisfaction.
• After the successful pilot, BAMUL plans to expand the eco-packets statewide across all Nandini outlets

Other brands and initiatives in sustainable dairy packaging:

1. Nestlé (paperboard and Tetra Pak)

• Nestlé India has been innovating with paperboard cartons (Tetra Pak) for domestic use and paper-based canisters for export brands—these reduce plastic content significantly (up to approximately 90% for some formats).
• India-wide, Tetra Pak remains popular in brands like A+ and Aavaram, offering extended shelf-life with intermediate plastic use.

2. Cooperatives and startups

• Milkmila: A startup in Patna and Bengaluru, dispensing fresh milk into user-providedcontainers via autorickshaw-mounted IoT-enabled meters—zero plastic use.
• Milk Mantra: While not biodegradable, it uses D2C channels and shelf-stable packaging to reduce plastic usage and food waste.

3. Packaging manufacturers

• Greendot Biopak, Bharat Compostables, and others produce corn-starch and plant-polymer films, capable of being tailored into cartons, sachets, or roll films for dairies
• Gable Top Pak, Arneja Packaging, and Omflex: Offer gabled cartons, multi-layer films, and increasingly biodegradable/composable options—though mostly in R&D or early adoption phases.

4. Academic Research

• IIT Roorkee researchers are developing edible/kodo millet–based packaging, an innovative leap toward fully consumable or compostable dairy packaging.

Where Nandini Stands? Karnataka’s Nandini is the first large-scale biodegradable milk packet in India, piloted since June 5, 2025, and now being phased out across Karnataka. Corn-starch film that mimics plastic yet decomposes to compost in ~6 months; compostable and even fertilizing. It is slightly costlier (approx. 5% increase), but BAMUL/KMF backing suggests it’s scalable—50,000 outlets in Karnataka are next in line.

What are the next steps?

• KMF/BAMUL expansion is underway: All outlets in Karnataka are to shift to biodegradable film, likely within months.
• National replication: Other milk federations (e.g., Milma, Banas Dairy) could adopt similar eco-films, driven by cost, regulation, and local supplier ecosystems.
• Tech and packaging R&D: Edible packaging (millet-based), reusable container systems, and compostable-roll solutions are gaining traction via startups & labs.

References:

1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/startup-redefining-milk-delivery-with-tech-driven-plastic-free-system
2. https://www.globalparachem.com/milk-packaging-in-india-different-packaging-materials-used
3. https://www.goodreturns.in/news/
4. https://www.greendotbiopak.com/liquid-bags-film
5. https://www.globalparachem.com/milk-packaging-in-india-different-packaging-materials-used
6. https://dairybusinessmea.com/2025/06/14/bamul-advances-to-eco-friendly-milk-packaging

Image credit: kmfnandini.coop/en/our-product