Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, July 20: Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) is set to introduce a major change in the packaging of its popular Nandini milk brand by replacing conventional polythene covers with biodegradable, eco-friendly alternatives – a first-of-its-kind initiative in India.
Currently packed in polythene, which takes years to decompose, Nandini milk will soon come in biodegradable covers made from corn and sugarcane derivatives. These eco-friendly covers decompose within 90 days of being discarded in soil. The initiative is being piloted by Bengaluru Milk Union Limited (BAMUL) and will be launched in Bengaluru later this month. It will be expanded across Karnataka in the coming months.
Although the state government has banned plastic usage due to its harmful impact on the environment, polythene milk packets were exempted until now, as there was no viable alternative for daily doorstep delivery. With the availability of biodegradable covers, KMF has decided to switch to the eco-friendly option.
The biodegradable packets are being produced at BAMUL’s megadairy plant near Shivanahalli in Kanakapura. Officials said these covers, developed using foreign technology, break down rapidly in the environment like other organic materials.
A significant shift in dairy packaging
Unlike the traditional polythene covers, which take years to degrade and add significantly to environmental pollution, the new biodegradable milk covers will reduce the plastic waste burden dramatically. With lacs of milk packets used daily, this shift is expected to make a meaningful environmental impact.
To kickstart this change, BAMUL has ordered 2 lakh biodegradable covers for the pilot phase. If successful, all Nandini milk packaging will transition to these eco-friendly materials in phases.
Higher cost, but worth it
Though biodegradable covers are costlier than regular polythene and need to be imported, BAMUL has decided to go ahead, prioritising environmental concerns over pricing. The federation believes the long-term benefits outweigh the initial cost.
A pioneering step in India’s dairy sector
Even Gujarat’s Amul, which dominates India’s dairy sector, has not implemented such a change yet. BAMUL becomes the first in the country to adopt biodegradable milk packaging. The initiative was officially launched on World Environment Day by BAMUL director D K Suresh, marking a bold step toward sustainable dairy distribution.
This green initiative places Karnataka at the forefront of environmentally responsible dairy practices in India.