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New Delhi: In a move aimed at reducing plastic pollution, Mother Dairy has announced the launch of what it calls India’s first naturally degradable milk pouch in soil. The new packaging, which will be introduced through the company’s popular Cow Milk variant across Delhi-NCR from June 5, coinciding with World Environment Day, is designed to break down into natural elements over time. According to the company, the pouch material transforms into a bioavailable wax that is further decomposed by microbes present in the soil.

The development comes amid growing concerns over plastic waste and the challenge of managing discarded packaging that escapes formal recycling systems. Mother Dairy said the innovation is the result of more than four years of research and is intended to address the issue of fugitive plastic without affecting milk quality, taste, shelf life or consumer prices. The company will also roll out refreshed packaging for the variant.

Mother Dairy said the new packaging technology allows the pouch to degrade naturally in soil instead of persisting in the environment for decades or even centuries. The company stated that the material first converts into a bioavailable wax, which is then broken down by naturally occurring soil microbes into natural elements.

The innovation will be rolled out initially through Mother Dairy Cow Milk packs sold in Delhi-NCR from June 5.

Explaining the significance of the initiative, Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board and Mother Dairy, said the dairy sector has a responsibility to balance growth with sustainability.

“The newly introduced packaging is designed to naturally degrade in soil within a few years rather than centuries, and importantly, this transition is being undertaken without any impact on consumer milk prices,” he said.

The company believes the innovation could help address concerns around plastic waste that is not collected or recycled and eventually finds its way into the environment.

Mother Dairy Managing Director Jayatheertha Chary said the company spent more than four years developing the packaging.

“For over five decades, Mother Dairy has remained at the forefront of innovation in the dairy sector. Driven by this commitment, we undertook over four years of research to develop a naturally degradable milk pouch that leaves no trace of plastics in the environment,” he said.

He added that while the pouches will remain recyclable, their ability to degrade into natural elements differentiates them from conventional packaging materials.

According to the company, consumers will not have to alter how they store, handle or dispose of the milk pouches. Mother Dairy said the packaging has been designed to maintain the same quality, shelf life and taste standards as existing packs.

The launch will also coincide with a refreshed look for the Cow Milk range, which marks a decade of the variant in the market.

As conversations around sustainable packaging gain momentum, the launch of a soil-degradable milk pouch marks a notable step in exploring alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. The long-term environmental impact of the innovation will become clearer as the technology is adopted at scale.