Now Tirumala Laddu Prasadam in eco-friendly bags

Aiming to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has developed biodegradable packaging. As part of a pilot project, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) plans to use biodegradable bags to distribute laddoos. Recently, a special sales counter was inaugurated in Tirumala by DRDO Chairman Satish Reddy, TTD Executive Officer Dr. KS Jawahar Reddy and Additional EO AV Dharma Reddy. So far, more than 40 industries are using this new packaging material.

Idea:

The idea of ​​PBAT-based biodegradable packaging was pioneered by Dr. K. Veerabraham and his team. Biodegradable packaging using PBAT is a polymer derived from petroleum products and plant oils. “While conventional polyethylene bags cost around Rs 140 per kg… this biodegradable bag has a production cost of Rs 160 to 180 per kg. Although the cost is slightly higher, DRDO and its partners are committed to keeping these biodegradable bags affordable,” said Dr. Veerabraham. Said. “By freely sharing technology, fostering collaboration… we aim to increase efficiency in production and distribution,” he said.

Impact on Environment:

Several environmental impact studies, including IS 17088 testing, have shown that PBAT-based biodegradable bags decompose within three months without leaving harmful residues, making them compostable and eco-friendly. Besides carry bags, medical waste bags, aprons, garbage bags, nursery bags, shrink films, packing films can also be made with PBAT-based biodegradable materials.

With a patent in progress for this technology, DRDO is committed to finding eco-friendly alternatives to hazardous plastics. A collaboration with Ecoelastic Private Limited, this carry bag is an example of the collective effort required to tackle the plastic pollution epidemic involving multiple industries.