The Department of Posts (DoP), known as India Post, has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) to bring sustainable packaging solutions to its parcel delivery services.
The agreement, formalised in Mumbai, will see the IIP offering its expertise to develop packaging thatvmeets the functional requirements of the postal system and aligns with global environmental standards.
The focus will be on creating packaging alternatives that are both sustainable and cost-effective, potentially replacing conventional materials such as corrugated boxes and traditional cloth wraps.
One of the key objectives of the partnership is to design packaging that is suitable for air transport, particularly for items that are liquid or otherwise sensitive.
The new packaging solutions will aim to be shock-resistant, ensuring that parcels are delivered safely and intact to recipients across India's vast postal network.
The collaboration will also involve benchmarking India Post's current packaging practices against international standards. This will help the organisation understand where improvements can be made and how best to implement these changes.
The IIP will also assist in preparing a pricing approach paper that will evaluate the cost implications of switching to sustainable packaging materials.
To ensure that the new packaging practices are adopted smoothly, the partnership will include the creation of training materials such as videos and graphics to educate postal staff on the benefits and methods of sustainable packaging.
With 165,000 post offices in its network, India Post aim to further enhance the safety, security and efficiency of its parcel services through this partnership.
In May 2025, the Indian Institute of Packaging launched the National Packaging Innovation Challenge, a nationwide initiative aimed at developing sustainable packaging solutions.
The programme targeted startups and student entrepreneurs to generate scaleable and environmentally responsible innovations that could support domestic industries as well as exports.
The initiative aligns with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat [self-reliant India, or Make in India] agenda, with an emphasis on strengthening packaging standards for small and medium-sized enterprises.
