From Financialexpress · FE Bureau · · 1m 50s
Bio-based packaging sustainability in India
India's eco-friendly packaging push faces waste infrastructure gaps.
In brief
India's eco-friendly packaging push faces waste infrastructure gaps. Bio-based packaging may not be sustainable without functional waste systems. Originally reported by Financialexpress.
Bio-based packaging sustainability question
Whether food or chip packaging is sustainable depends on what it's made from and what happens after use.
India's eco-packaging initiatives
Zomato launched PackSwitch for restaurants and the Department of Consumer Affairs with BIS started Biopackathon 2026 for gutkha and pan masala sachets.
Bio-based packaging categories
Bio-based plastics cover materials from agricultural residue to those designed to biodegrade or compost.
Labeling confusion
A material can be bio-based without being biodegradable and biodegradable materials may not be compostable under ordinary conditions.
Market growth
The global bio-based materials market is expected to grow by 21.5% over five years with Asia-Pacific accounting for 40%.
India's packaging shift
India gained bio-based packaging prominence after banning single-use plastics under the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules of 2021 and 2022.
Real-world composting challenges
Compostable materials require industrial facilities to break down effectively and may end up in landfills without proper infrastructure.
Landfill reality
India lacks dedicated infrastructure for processing compostable plastics at the scale needed for significant expansion.
Fibre-based packaging issues
Fibre-based alternatives like bagasse may contain coatings that make them harder to process after use.
Recyclability problems
Only about 8% of plastic consumed in India was recycled in 2019 despite technical recyclability.
Recycling system gaps
India's recycling economy is uneven with strong markets for PET, HDPE and PP but weak for flexible plastics.
New materials disrupt recycling
Bio-PET and PEF can resemble conventional PET and disrupt existing recycling streams.
Certification limitations
BIS standards for biodegradability don't guarantee waste management infrastructure exists.
The real sustainability test
Sustainability begins after use: can it be collected, sorted, processed and safely disposed of?
At a glance
Bio-based packaging may not be sustainable without functional waste systems.
