India’s Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), under its flagship brand Nandini, has launched a sustainability initiative by piloting biodegradable milk covers in Bengaluru’s Hunasanahalli village. The effort aims to reduce the environmental burden caused by traditional plastic packaging in dairy distribution.
In a major move toward environmental responsibility, the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) — one of India’s largest dairy cooperatives — has begun testing biodegradable milk covers under its flagship brand, Nandini. This initiative is led by KMF’s affiliate, the Bangalore Urban, Rural & Ramanagara District Co-operative Milk Producers Societies Union Ltd (Bamul), which is piloting the eco-friendly packaging in Hunasanahalli village, Kanakapura taluk of Bengaluru South, Karnataka.
The covers, made from corn-based biodegradable material, represent a significant shift from traditional polythene milk packets, which are known to take over a century to decompose. Despite regulations restricting the use of single-use plastics in India, plastic continues to dominate the milk distribution system.
To counter this, Bamul has procured 200,000 biodegradable covers from a Chennai-based supplier to trial their durability and environmental benefits. These corn-based covers decompose naturally in soil, supporting the composting process and significantly reducing urban waste load.
This sustainability initiative highlights Nandini’s commitment to green innovation and environmental stewardship. The project aligns with broader goals to integrate climate-conscious practices into India’s dairy industry — one of the largest in the world.
Speaking about the initiative, a KMF spokesperson emphasized the Federation’s dedication to developing sustainable alternatives that protect both the environment and consumers. The success of this pilot may pave the way for statewide adoption and potentially influence dairy packaging norms across India.
