By Dipak Kurmi
India’s struggle to curb the use of Single Use Plastic is no longer merely a regulatory or technological challenge; it is fundamentally behavioural. Consumers, accustomed to the convenience and low cost of plastic, continue to rely on it despite bans and awareness campaigns. While circularity in certain plastic packaging materials has been proposed as a partial solution, the inefficiency of waste collection and segregation systems undermines this approach. A large volume of plastic packaging inevitably escapes formal waste channels and accumulates in municipal drains, wetlands, rivers and agricultural fields, aggravating pollution and ecological stress. In this context, the most pragmatic and scalable solution lies in making alternative biodegradable packaging materials not only environmentally viable but also easily available, affordable and culturally acceptable. Among the various alternatives being explored, bamboo-based packaging has emerged as a promising option, particularly for regions that already possess abundant bamboo resources and traditional knowledge of its use.
The Northeast region of India occupies a unique position in this transition. Home to some of the richest natural bamboo reserves in the country, the region has long used bamboo in everyday life, from housing and tools to traditional packaging practices. Bamboo baskets used to carry fruits, vegetables and other goods to local markets remain common in many rural areas, reflecting a cultural familiarity that can ease the adoption of bamboo-based alternatives to plastic packaging. Yet, despite this natural and cultural advantage, the region has lagged behind in developing industrial-scale bamboo packaging ventures. Ironically, several bamboo packaging manufacturing units have emerged in cities like Bengaluru, far removed from large bamboo forests, while the Northeast has struggled to translate its resource advantage into industrial leadership. This gap underscores a deeper issue of underinvestment, limited entrepreneurial vision beyond traditional bamboo crafts, and insufficient integration of bamboo into emerging sectors of the modern economy.
Recent developments, however, indicate a shift in momentum. The production of alternative biodegradable packaging material from bamboo is gaining traction on an industrial scale across India, signalling growing confidence in its commercial viability. For the Northeast, this momentum is reinforced by policy support, particularly through the Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialisation Scheme, 2024, which offers subsidies and incentives aimed at attracting industrial investment to the region. The availability of abundant raw material, combined with such fiscal support, significantly lowers entry barriers for bamboo packaging manufacturers. When assessed from a commercial perspective, bamboo packaging industries may involve higher upfront capital costs compared to plastic packaging units, but their operational costs decline substantially when production runs at scale. Moreover, when environmental externalities are accounted for, the economic argument decisively favours bamboo. The ecological cost of plastic pollution, borne by society in the form of degraded ecosystems, public health risks and clean-up expenses, far exceeds the marginal cost difference between plastic and bamboo packaging.
The strategic importance of bamboo extends beyond packaging alone. The commissioning of bamboo-based ethanol production at the biorefinery in Numaligarh has opened new avenues for bamboo growers in Assam and neighbouring states. This development has demonstrated that bamboo can serve as a versatile industrial raw material, capable of supporting multiple value chains simultaneously. Diversification of bamboo’s industrial use enhances the price bargaining capacity of traditional bamboo growers, who can now choose to supply raw material to industries offering the most remunerative terms. Such diversification reduces dependence on a single market and stabilises rural incomes, while also strengthening the overall bamboo economy of the region. Packaging material manufacturing, when integrated with other bamboo-based industries such as bioenergy, construction materials and consumerware, can create a resilient and interconnected industrial ecosystem.
At the same time, changing consumption patterns across India are creating favourable market conditions for biodegradable packaging. The rapid expansion of the gig economy and platform-based digital marketplaces, including food aggregators, quick commerce and e-commerce services, has led to an unprecedented surge in demand for packaging materials. In these sectors, packaging plays a critical role in ensuring product safety, quality and consumer satisfaction during doorstep deliveries. Bamboo entrepreneurs in the Northeast must therefore look beyond conventional bamboo products and align themselves with these emerging sectors, where demand is both large and growing. Well-designed bamboo packaging made from woven bamboo strips can offer durability, aesthetic appeal and sustainability, qualities increasingly valued by urban consumers. When such packaging doubles as a decorative or reusable item, consumers are often willing to pay a premium, thereby improving profit margins for manufacturers.
The growing popularity of bamboo consumerware further strengthens the case for industrial-scale bamboo ventures. Products such as bamboo cutlery, plates and bowls are gaining acceptance among environmentally conscious consumers, both in India and globally. Worldwide, bamboo packaging products are rapidly replacing plastic alternatives, driven by stricter environmental regulations and shifting consumer preferences. Global industry projections suggest steady growth in the bamboo packaging market, indicating long-term commercial sustainability and significant export potential. For the Northeast, tapping into these global value chains could transform the region from a peripheral supplier of raw bamboo into a hub of value-added manufacturing. Export-oriented bamboo packaging industries would not only generate employment but also enhance the region’s integration with international markets focused on sustainable products.
Behavioural change among consumers remains a critical element of this transition. The widespread abandonment of cloth bags in favour of plastic has entrenched disposable habits, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. Reviving and modernising bamboo-based packaging practices can help reverse this trend. Encouraging the use of bamboo packaging at shops and marketplaces can gradually reshape consumer behaviour by making sustainable choices visible, convenient and socially acceptable. Unlike plastic, discarded bamboo packaging does not persist in the environment. Shredded bamboo strips degrade within a few months under composting conditions, returning to the soil without causing pollution. For an ecologically fragile region like the Northeast, where biodiversity and water systems are particularly vulnerable, eco-friendly packaging is not a lifestyle preference but an ecological necessity.
Beyond packaging and consumerware, the region also has opportunities to cater to niche but high-volume markets that currently generate massive plastic waste. Disposable plastic shaving razors are a striking example. Industry estimates indicate that these razors generate approximately 70 lakh kilograms of plastic waste annually in India, within a market valued at nearly Rs 1200 crore and requiring around one billion disposable kits each year. Innovative bamboo-based disposable razors could significantly reduce this waste while capturing a share of a lucrative market. Identifying such opportunities requires states in the region to adopt market-oriented approaches to plastic waste management, using data on waste streams to pinpoint products that can be feasibly replaced by bamboo alternatives. Attracting industries focused on such innovations would align economic incentives with environmental goals.
Platforms for dialogue and collaboration are already playing a role in shaping this future. The Northeast Bamboo Conclave 2025, held in Guwahati, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators from India and abroad to explore the scope and opportunities within the region’s bamboo sector. Such forums have provided a crucial stepping stone for diversifying the industrial-scale utilisation of bamboo, fostering partnerships and sharing best practices. Importantly, they have highlighted that the policies required to support bamboo-based industries are largely in place, and that industrial lobbying to promote sustainable utilisation of bamboo resources has already begun. Efforts to strengthen linkages between industry, entrepreneurs and growers are underway, laying the groundwork for a more integrated bamboo economy.
What remains is the challenge of execution. The Northeast must move beyond policy discussions and pilot projects to unlock its full potential as a hub for bamboo packaging and related industries. This requires coordinated action to attract investment, develop skilled human resources, modernise supply chains and build consumer awareness. With abundant raw material, cultural familiarity with bamboo, growing domestic and global demand for biodegradable packaging, and supportive policy frameworks, the region is uniquely positioned to lead India’s transition away from plastic. Replacing plastic packaging with bamboo is not merely an industrial opportunity; it is an environmental imperative and a pathway to sustainable regional development.
(The writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
