Aavin set to ditch plastic packets, to look for eco-friendly alternatives

CHENNAI: In a significant move at mitigating environmental pollution, Aavin, the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation, has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone, that it intends to adopt alternative packaging methods, thereby relinquishing its reliance on single-use plastic milk packets.

This assumes significance in the wake of a petition filed by SP Surendranath Karthik from Chennai and Ayya from Palayamkottai in the NGT, who urged Aavin and other companies in TN to explore eco-friendly packaging options, such as glass bottles, instead of plastic packets that have been in vogue for over 30 years.

During a recent hearing, the NGT’s Southern Zone bench, comprising judicial member Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, appraised Aavin of its intention to study the feasibility of distributing milk using green alternatives. The tribunal, expressing confidence in Aavin’s ability to devise a permanent solution, adjourned the hearing to April 8.

On December 16, 2024, the NGT had directed Aavin to explore the possibility of selling milk in reusable plastic bottles, citing concerns over the significant plastic waste generated at its Ambattur dairy unit. However, the TN Milk Dealers Labourers Welfare Association on Tuesday vehemently opposed the proposed shift from plastic packaging to alternative forms, such as glass bottles, for milk distribution.

Speaking to DT Next, SA Ponnusamy, president of the association, underscored the formidable challenges inherent in revamping Aavin’s existing infrastructure to accommodate new packaging methods. “Aavin’s framework is intrinsically linked to plastic packaging. Transitioning to novel methods will necessitate an overhaul of the infrastructure, entailing an expenditure of thousands of crores,” he observed.

Ponnusamy also highlighted the inevitable escalation in production costs that would accompany the abandonment of plastic packaging. “The increased expenditure will be passed on to consumers, exacerbating the financial burden on them,” he noted.

Furthermore, Ponnusamy emphasised the imperative of considering the relatively modest market share of Aavin, which stands at 16% in Tamil Nadu. “It’s unreasonable to expect Aavin to bear the financial onus of this transition alone, without soliciting the participation of private dairies,” he argued. “We urge the NGT to adopt a holistic approach, taking into account the perspectives of all stakeholders, including private dairies, and providing pragmatic solutions as a part of their order.”