Packaging from Plant Residues

Around 500 million tons of agricultural waste are generated in India every year. A large portion is burned, contributing to air pollution. Amazon and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee aim to change that by developing sustainable shipping bags made from crop residues.

How can packaging be made lighter, more sustainable, and more locally sourced? In India, one possible answer lies literally in the fields: vast amounts of crop residues such as straw, wheat leftovers, and sugarcane fibers. These materials could soon be turned into packaging solutions.

Amazon and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee are collaborating on this initiative. While the institute contributes its scientific expertise, the US company brings experience in practical application. Their shared goal is to provide more sustainable packaging, reduce air pollution, and develop alternatives to wood fiber.

“We are addressing both the challenges of stubble burning and the dependence on virgin fiber at the same time,” says IIT Director Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant. “By converting crop residues into packaging, we can support a more circular economy while reducing reliance on conventional materials,” adds Abhinav Singh, Vice President of Operations at Amazon India.

At the core of the collaboration is the INNOPAP lab (short for “Innovations in Paper and Packaging”), a research facility within the Department of Paper and Packaging Technology at IIT Roorkee. There, plant residues are processed into pulp, washed, screened, and then pressed into paper samples.

The result: lightweight, durable, recyclable—and even home-compostable—shipping bags.

If agricultural waste is no longer burned, it can significantly reduce smog levels in the region. At the same time, using previously underutilized residues helps conserve other resources. In addition, a new market for plant waste is emerging, creating additional income opportunities for farmers.

A 15-month laboratory phase is currently underway. If the results are positive, industrial testing and potentially commercial production will follow—possibly as early as next year.