In June 2026, Mother Dairy, one of India’s largest and well-renowned dairy companies and also a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), introduced India’s first naturally degradable milk pouch in soil. The brand launched the degradable pouch on June 5, on World Environment Day, through its Cow Milk fresh liquid variant in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). The newly launched degradable pouch has a new and refreshing design, marking a decade of the cow milk brand in the industry.
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.
The newly launched sustainable packaging is built around a proprietary degradation technology. The company, which produces milk and other milk products such as ghee, paneer, and ice cream, states that it took them almost four years to design the packaging in detail. When the pouch ends up in soil, it converts into a bioavailable wax that is consumed by microbes and is then further broken down into natural elements. According to the well-renowned Indian milk brand, the pouch doesn’t leave any harmful chemical residues or plastics in soil. The company’s claim was also tested independently. The packaging was evaluated for biodegradability, ecotoxicity, and heavy metal content in an NABL-accredited lab under ISO 17556, OECD 208, ISO 11268-1, ISO 11268-2, and IS 3025 (Part 65) standards.
For consumers, the packaging didn’t have any behavior change. The pouch still performed the same way as before, including the same storage, handling of milk, and disposal as the current packaging. The new packaging has also not touched the chords of effect on shelf life, taste, or quality. The company also states that the design of the packaging remains stable under the storage and transportation conditions typically across India, including warm weather.
The pouch also continues to be recyclable; degradability is the distinguishing step forward. “While these milk pouches will continue to remain recyclable, the key differentiator lies in their ability to degrade into natural elements, thereby helping address the challenge of fugitive plastic and contributing towards a cleaner ecosystem,” says Jayatheertha Chary, managing director of Mother Dairy, “We are delighted to introduce this pioneering packaging innovation through our famed Cow Milk variant, which will also feature a refreshed pack design as it marks a decade of trust and goodness.”
“We have developed a naturally degradable milk pouch after over four years of research,” says Jayatheertha Chary, managing director of Mother Dairy.
“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.
Chary also added that the degradable pouches easily degrade when disposed of in proper soil conditions within a few years, unlike the traditional plastic packaging made from LDPE (low-density polyethene) pouches that stay in the environment for centuries.
The company also states that it will address the challenge of fugitive plastic in the future. It stays adamant on transforming pouches into bioavailable wax, which is further broken down by natural microbes present in the soil. Mother Dairy’s latest sustainable initiative aligns with World Environment Day 2026's theme, “Inspired by Nature,” which is mainly focused on climate action and other activities helpful in contributing towards sustainability. Though ironically, the brand’s publicity and marketing was completed with the help of AI-generated ads, which is also termed as one of the reasons for environmental degradation.
Unfortunately, India generates a huge amount of plastic regularly due to food and beverage packaging. Milk pouches play a huge role in contributing to this waste as they are not properly recycled and hence form a huge part of this waste stream. Mother Dairy has also previously tried to deal with the huge plastic waste management by collecting and recycling plastic packaging.
Mother Dairy is a leading Indian public sector dairy company that manufactures, markets, and sells milk, dairy products, edible oils, and fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. The company was established in 1974 and is also a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying of the Government of India. It was launched as a crucial initiative under Operation Flood, the world’s largest dairy development program aimed at making India a milk-sufficient nation.
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