Packaging Gateway

ITC expands sustainable packaging offerings to replace plastic

Over the past year, the company has claimed to have sustainably managed 60,000Mt of plastic waste.

Indian conglomerate ITC has reaffirmed its pledge to address the plastic waste crisis on this year's World Environment Day via its multidimensional efforts.

Driven by its 'Sustainability 2.0' vision, the company continues to develop innovative and eco-friendly packaging solutions that can serve as an alternative to single-use plastics.

In financial year 2023, the company claimed to have sustainably managed 60,000Mt of plastic waste, which is higher than the amount of packaging used by ITC that year.

ITC has been conducting research at its Life Sciences and Technology Centre on laminated and moulded fibre platforms and manufactures a range of eco-friendly products, including FiloPack, FiloServe and biodegradable paperboards, namely OmegaBev and OmegaBarr.

The company expedites the development of recyclable laminates that have lesser plastic content while improving circularity.

ITC also launched advanced products like Bio-seal, Germfree for Tea envelopes, and quick service restaurant segments, which drive sustainability in the cartons and flexible packaging market.

The company also expanded its sustainability commitment to personal care products, which includes the adoption of at least 50% post-consumer recycled material on Fiama's Shower Gel bottles, among others.

Across its hotel business, ITC switched to eco-friendly glass bottles from plastic water bottles and introduced paper and wood-based alternatives for plastic drinking straws, stirrers, and others.

Other sustainable initiatives by ITC included the launch of a 1kg pack in a paper-based bag and the reduction of plastic usage by 25%.

ITC executive director B Sumant said: "At ITC, we have put in place comprehensive interventions for waste management with focus on plastics. Our Paperboards, Paper and Packaging Businesses continue to pioneer sustainable packaging solutions that can substitute single-use plastics.

"Many of our brands and businesses have also innovated to reduce the usage of plastics in line with our commitment to create a positive environmental footprint."