Farm to film: India's journey into 'Sustainable Packaging Alternatives'

"Cultivating Change: India's Transition from Farm to Film through Innovations in Biodegradable Packaging for a Sustainable Future"

Introduction

In a world where plastics have infiltrated every facet of our lives, bioplastics emerge as a beacon of hope, offering a sustainable alternative that doesn't compromise on utility but champions eco-friendliness." Despite their brief existence in human history, commercially accessible plastics (synthetic plastics) have permeated practically every aspect of our lives, from packaging in the industrial and commercial sectors to medicinal use in hospitals and home storage.Almost half of all plastic manufactured in the world is single-use plastic. (1) Plastic accounts up 8% of India's total solid waste, with Delhi producing the most, followed by Kolkata and Ahmedabad, according to Central Pollution Control Board of India (CPCB) data. In India, around 43% of produced plastic is used for packaging, the majority of which is single-use. (2)

From straws to packaging material, this plastic not only makes up the majority of non-biodegradable garbage, but it is also one of the most hardest to handle and recycle.Dealing with plastic garbage has become critical due to its centuries of deterioration and severe mismanagement, both of which have long-term environmental consequences. Because the informal sector handles the majority of plastic recycling in India, the likelihood of it being downcycled is significantly higher. The issue of plastic and its mishandling in India poses serious environmental and health risks. While poor waste management infrastructure causes inadequate disposal. Lack of public knowledge exacerbates the problem, and regulatory enforcement is ineffective. Recycling problems exacerbate the dilemma. Addressing these concerns necessitates comprehensive initiatives that include public education, improved legislation, and investment sustainable packaging options. As a result, biodegradable and bio-based plastics appear to be feasible alternatives since they are more environmentally friendly and take less work to breakdown. Biodegradation occurs when microorganisms in an environment degrade materials into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass and is influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and material/application (3). The enormous piles of plastic trash in landfills and roadside dumps, as well as the numerous additional difficulties that have arisen as a result of plastic consumption, make the conversion to biodegradable plastic and packaging even more appealing. (4)

Case Study on Sustainable Packaging Solutions

A. Successful Implementation Stories

1. ZeroCircle: Pioneering Sustainable Packaging with Seaweed Innovation

Notpla gained global attention in 2014 for introducing seaweed packaging—biodegradable, home compostable, and even edible. Fast forward to 2023, ZeroCircle, a Maharashtra-based company founded on seaweed, joined the ranks of winners of the Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize for their biodegradable packaging solution. Founded in 2020 by Neha Jain, a former Google employee, ZeroCircle made history as the first Indian or Asian firm to receive this prestigious award, securing the second position and a share of the $1.2 million prize. All three winners of the competition shared a common focus on seaweed as a fundamental material (5). ZeroCircle's innovation extends beyond competition recognition. Unlike many bioplastics that claim biodegradability but require industrial composting facilities with high heat and humidity, ZeroCircle's seaweed-based product is genuinely home compostable. The company collaborates with farms in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra to source red, brown, and green seaweed, creating economic opportunities for local farmers and fishermen. After harvesting, the seaweed undergoes a process of drying and grinding into a powder, culminating in the production of purses, clothing bags, food packaging, and various plastic alternatives (6). ZeroCircle's hands-on team envisions a carbon-neutral future. They believe that harnessing seaweed's regenerating properties, through innovative reformation and engineering, can contribute to creating sustainable, pollution-free solutions across industries, including chemicals, food, fashion, and plastics. (7) In their commitment to sustainability, ZeroCircle is not just shaping a greener tomorrow but actively contributing to a paradigm shift in how we approach packaging and industrial practices.

2. Bambrew: Crafting Sustainable Solutions in Green Packaging

In a bold move in 2018, Vaibhav, formerly the Associate Vice-President at a prominent edtech business, redirected his career trajectory to establish the eco-conscious startup, Bambrew. The company specializes in manufacturing sustainable packaging using bamboo, sugarcane, and seaweed sourced directly from tribes in Assam, Tripura, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka(8). Bambrew's commitment to green technology is evident in its clientele, serving 170 clients across diverse industries, including hospitality, fast food, retail, and logistics.

The startup has positioned itself as a key player in the sustainability market by providing lightweight, robust, and entirely biodegradable packaging solutions, all while avoiding the use of chemicals or pesticides in their manufacturing processes.

Vaibhav Anant emphasizes that Bambrew's offerings are not only the ideal substitutes for endangered rainforest hardwoods but also excel as a fast-growing and flexible forest product, outperforming traditional tree species. Bamboo, one of the primary materials employed by Bambrew, boasts remarkable qualities—it grows at an exceptional rate, generates 35% more oxygen than hardwood trees, and plays a crucial role in combating global climate change. The company firmly asserts that bamboo stands out as one of the most environmentally friendly commodities available (9) Bambrew's journey reflects not just a business venture but a mission to replace single-use plastics with innovative, nature-friendly alternatives. As they forge ahead, their dedication to sustainability and the environment positions Bambrew as a trailblazer in the quest for eco-friendly packaging solutions.

Price of being Sustainable

Plastic was and remains a wonder material because to its excellent barrier qualities, flexibility, and inexpensive production costs. However, it has several drawbacks. And replacing such a material is not a simple operation. The alternatives available now lack barrier qualities or are more expensive than plastic.

A. Obstacles Faced by the Biodegradable Packaging Industry in India

1. Market Challenges

The transition to sustainable packaging encounters hurdles within the market. Consumer awareness, demand dynamics, and the existing infrastructure pose challenges to the widespread adoption of eco-friendly alternatives. Convincing consumers to shift from conventional plastic to more sustainable options requires addressing perceptions and ensuring the availability of affordable alternatives (10)

2. Technological Barriers

Right now biodegradable packaging faces technological barriers, including refining production processes and achieving scalability. Advancements are needed to enhance the performance of bioplastics, making them not only environmentally friendly but also comparable or superior in functionality to traditional plastics. (11)

B. Future Prospects and Potential Growth

1. Emerging Trends

As the Biodegradable Packaging industry navigates challenges, several trends indicate a positive trajectory. Innovations in material science and technology are yielding bioplastics with improved barrier properties and durability. Collaborations between industries and research institutions are fostering breakthroughs in sustainable packaging solutions.(12)

2. Global Demand and Market Opportunities.

The increasing global demand for sustainable practices is creating opportunities for the bioplastics industry. As awareness about environmental issues grows, consumers and businesses alike are seeking alternatives. This shift is opening doors for the bioplastics sector to expand its market presence and offer solutions that align with the evolving demands of a more eco-conscious world.(13)

What can you do?

Educate Yourself: Take the initiative to educate yourself on the benefits and limitations of biodegradable plastics to make informed choices.

Verify Product Claims: Verify the authenticity of claims by choosing products certified by recognized eco-labels or organizations.

Use Proper Disposal Methods: Follow local waste disposal guidelines and ensure that biodegradable plastics are sent to appropriate waste streams.

Avoid Contamination and Reduce Overall Plastic Consumption: Separate waste properly to maintain the integrity of biodegradable plastics during disposal.

Support Recycling Efforts: Participate in community recycling programs and advocate for the inclusion of biodegradable plastics in existing recycling systems.

Influence Market Demand: Encourage the adoption of biodegradable plastics by choosing such products, influencing demand, and fostering a market for sustainable alternatives.

References

1. Beat plastic pollution UNEP. https://www.unep.org/interactives/beat-plastic-pollution/ 2.CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD (CPCB) Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (2015) Assessment & Characterisation of Plastic Waste Generation in 60 Major Cities, Executive summary (cpcb.nic.in)

3.What are bioplastics? Sustainability for all. What are bioplastics? (activesustainability.com)

4. Joshi, S. (2021) Bioplastics - a sustainable solution to our plastic waste problem, Bioplastics - A Sustainable Solution to our Plastic Waste Problem | TERI (teriin.org)

5. Sandeep Goyal, Packaging Connections. https://www.packagingconnections.com/blog-entry/product-highlight-zero-circle.htm

6. Agrawal, A. (2022) Ex-google employee turns seaweed into 100% dissolvable, low-cost packaging, The Better India. Ex-Google Employee Turns Seaweed into 100% Dissolvable, Low-Cost Packaging (thebetterindia.com)

7. Solutions (2023) Zerocircle:Solutions - Zerocircle

8. Agarwal, A. (2022) A greentech startup making sustainable packaging from bamboo, sugarcane, YourStory.com. A greentech startup making sustainable packaging from bamboo, sugarcane (yourstory.com)

9.Vijay, A. (2022a) Vaibhav Anant of Bambrew tells Aultrin Vijay how the company is working its way to replace single-use plastics with eco-friendly bamboo-, sugarcane- and seaweed-pulp packaging: Printweekindia, PrintWeek. Vaibhav Anant of Bambrew tells Aultrin Vijay how the company is working its way to replace single-use plastics with eco-friendly bamboo-, sugarcane- and seaweed-pulp packaging (printweek.in)

10.ERDOGAN, U.E. (2013) Success and failure factors for the adoption of bio-based.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:636875/FULLTEXT01.pdf

11. Stasi?kien?, ?. et al. (2022) Challenges and strategies for bio-based and Biodegradable Plastic Waste Management in Europe, MDPI.Sustainability | Free Full-Text | Challenges and Strategies for Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastic Waste Management in Europe (mdpi.com) 12. Biodegradable and compostable plastics - challenges and opportunities (2023) European Environment Agency. https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/biodegradable-and-compostable-plastics

13. Taofeeq D. Moshood and AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate the contribution of biodegradable plastics to sustainability in a new and sustainable plastics economy (2022) Biodegradable plastic applications towards Sustainability: A recent innovations in the green product, Cleaner Engineering and Technology. (PDF) Sustainability of biodegradable plastics: New problem or solution to solve the global plastic pollution? (researchgate.net)