Amazon and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have launched a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at transforming India’s agricultural waste into recyclable packaging. This initiative focuses on reducing plastic usage and mitigating air pollution caused by the widespread practice of stubble burning, while also providing a new market for crop residues like wheat, straw, and sugarcane residue.

The project is focused on turning agricultural waste into high-quality paper mailers, offering a recyclable and home-compostable alternative to traditional wood pulp paper and plastic bags. By doing so, the initiative reduces the reliance on virgin wood pulp, helping conserve forests and promoting sustainability in the packaging industry.

The collaboration, which began with 15 months of research and trials, is expected to progress into industrial trials and commercial production by late 2027. IIT Roorkee’s INNOPAP lab is key to this effort, turning crop residues into pulp that is processed into durable, environmentally friendly packaging.

This project has additional environmental benefits, particularly in tackling the issue of stubble burning, a major contributor to air pollution in India. By turning waste into packaging, the initiative provides an economically viable solution for farmers while also benefiting the environment by reducing harmful emissions.

Abhinav Singh, Vice President of Operations at Amazon India, emphasized that the collaboration helps advance Amazon’s sustainability goals. “India generates nearly 500 million tons of agricultural waste annually, and by repurposing it into packaging, we can reduce reliance on conventional materials and support a more circular economy,” Singh said.

As part of its sustainability initiatives, Amazon has already eliminated 100% of single-use plastic in its packaging across its fulfillment centers in India. The company is also working towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, investing in carbon-free energy and sustainable packaging innovations.

Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, highlighted the importance of this collaboration in achieving India’s vision of a circular economy. “By transforming agricultural residues into biodegradable packaging materials, we are addressing the challenges of stubble burning and over-reliance on virgin materials while creating scalable solutions that benefit industries, farmers, and society at large,” Pant added.

With this partnership, Amazon and IIT Roorkee are not only innovating in packaging but also helping build a sustainable, self-reliant future for India.