New Delhi: Mother Dairy, one of India’s largest dairy brands, on 2 June unveiled what they claim to be the country’s first naturally degradable milk pouches for its cow milk variant. The degradable pouches, which decompose naturally in soil without leaving behind microplastics, will be rolled out across Delhi-NCR on 5 June.
During a press conference held at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi, Meenesh Shah, chairman of Mother Dairy and National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), described the launch as a step towards reducing plastic waste and promoting environmental responsibility.
“There will be no added cost for the consumer,” says Shah at the conference, assuring that the dairy company will not be increasing its prices for the degradable product.
Mother Dairy, a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has long been associated as the primary milk supply in Delhi-NCR. The brand is a leading manufacturer and marketer of milk and dairy products, such as ghee, paneer, and ice creams, among other products. With its latest launch, the cooperative giant aims to address the concern of plastic waste generation.
“We have developed a naturally degradable milk pouch after over four years of research,” says Jayatheertha Chary, managing director of Mother Dairy.
Chary added that the pouches will degrade completely within a few years when disposed of properly in soil conditions—a stark contrast to conventional LDPE (low-density polyethene) pouches that persist in the environment for centuries.
Targeting for a sustainable future
The company claims to address the challenge of fugitive plastic. The pouches will transform into bioavailable wax, which is then broken down by natural microbes present in the soil.
Mother Dairy’s latest initiative coincides with World Environment Day 2026, whose theme, “Inspired by Nature” focuses on climate action and working for a sustainable future. Ironically, though, this step toward sustainability is complete with AI-generated ads, a known contributor to environmental degradation.
India generates enormous amounts of plastic waste annually, much of which comes from food and beverage packaging. Milk pouches, being low-value and often not recycled properly, form a large part of this waste stream. Mother Dairy has previously attempted to combat the challenge by collecting and recycling plastic packaging.
“Our plastic packaging is recyclable, and we continue to collect consumer waste packages to recycle them. This innovation will make it easier for consumers to practice sustainability with ease,” Chary said at the launch.
Mother Dairy has indicated that the launch in Delhi-NCR is the first phase in its newest initiative. Depending on consumer response and operational feasibility, it plans to gradually extend the degradable packaging to other milk variants and possibly other regions in the future.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)