"Plastic Is Out. This Bengaluru Startup’s Eco-Friendly Packaging Is the Future"

Rethinking Packaging in the Food Industry: Aecoz’s Sustainable Solution

If you run a food business — be it a bustling café, a cloud kitchen, or a growing restaurant chain — packaging plays a critical role. It needs to retain heat, prevent leaks, and ensure that food reaches customers safely and intact. That’s why plastic has long been the industry standard: it’s cheap, reliable, and ubiquitous.

But at what environmental cost?

India generates an estimated 3.5 lakh tonnes of single-use plastic waste every year, much of it from the food and beverage sector. These containers, often discarded within 20 minutes of use, can linger in our environment for centuries — clogging drains, choking landfills, and leaching microplastics into soil and water.

Enter Aecoz: A Sustainable Packaging Alternative

What if there were a solution that matched plastic in performance but biodegraded in months instead of centuries? That’s the promise of Aecoz, a Bengaluru-based startup founded in 2020 by siblings Dhanvita Sathyanand and Bharath Sathyanand, along with Dhanvita’s husband Srinidhi Rajaram.

Aecoz manufactures durable, food-safe packaging from specially treated paper — a compelling alternative to single-use plastic. Their product range includes cups, bowls, lids, and boxes made from paper reels sourced from ITC and coated with a water-based barrier. The result: packaging that’s 98% biodegradable within 180 days, with complete degradation following soon after. These claims are backed by certification from the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET).

Tested in the Real World

Unlike ordinary paper containers, Aecoz products are engineered to handle hot and liquid foods like rasam, sambar, and rich gravies. Their breakthrough came through a partnership with MTR, one of their earliest clients. The team tested their packaging under real delivery conditions — a process they call “dogfooding” — to ensure the bowls retained heat and structure without leaking or warping.

Aecoz’s packaging is manufactured in Bengaluru using high-temperature forming machines that run at 350°C, producing up to 45 units per minute. With sizes ranging from 50 ml to 1000 ml, they cater to both dine-in and delivery services.

From Local Kitchens to Global Markets

To date, Aecoz has produced over 4.5 crore units, supplying packaging to brands such as Lulu Hypermarkets, Magnolia Bakery, Milano Ice Creams, and even The Ritz-Carlton. In 2024, the company recorded Rs 5.2 crore in revenue and entered the UK market, where demand for sustainable alternatives continues to rise.

But Aecoz isn’t just targeting premium clients. “We’ve brought down our cost margins from 60% to 30% so that smaller businesses can afford to make the switch,” says Bharath. In fact, their 50 ml containers are now cheaper than plastic alternatives, making sustainability accessible to food outlets of all sizes.

A Healthier, Smarter Choice

Beyond the environmental impact, there’s a health dimension too. “Plastic packaging can release microplastics when in contact with hot food,” warns Srinidhi. “Long-term exposure is linked to health risks, including cancer.” Switching to biodegradable materials is not just eco-conscious — it’s also a commitment to public health.

Towards a Cleaner Future

The Aecoz team believes that stronger policy enforcement and greater awareness among food businesses — especially in cities like Bengaluru — can drastically reduce plastic waste. “Every restaurant, big or small, can be part of the solution,” says Dhanvita. “Even one change in packaging is a meaningful step forward.”

As India continues to battle its mounting plastic problem, innovations like Aecoz show that sustainable packaging is not just a possibility — it’s a practical responsibility. For food businesses looking to cut their environmental footprint without compromising on quality, the path is clear: choose packaging that protects both your food and the planet.