TTD is the trust that manages the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh.

The aluminium foil-laminated jute bags will be used as a substitute for plastic bags to carry the Tirupati Laddu Prasadam. “The aluminium foil lamination ensures the laddus retain freshness and aroma, and remains free from moisture and bacteria. These 100% recyclable bags are expected to replace single-use plastic bags,” said a company press note.

Satish Pai, MD, Hindalco Industries, said, "At Hindalco, sustainability is integral to our business. The environment-friendly packaging option is another example of how Hindalco is guided by its purpose –making metals that are greener, stronger, and smarter. Going forward, we aspire to make aluminum the ‘smart metal of choice’ for our customers by showcasing it as a super material, with innate properties of strength, light weight, anti-corrosion and 100% recyclability. "

The jute cloth facilitated by the Jute Corporation of India through its affiliate bodies, is laminated with food-grade aluminum foil at Hindalco’s aluminium foil manufacturing plant in Mouda, Nagpur, and sent to artisans in Telangana for fabricating the bags in different sizes.

According to TTD officials, “The jute and aluminium bags are a welcome alternative to plastic bags. They are an Indian innovation and an eco-friendly option for our devotees. With the high demand for Prasad, the bags are a good way to reduce plastic pollution.”

The bags are available at a range of Rs 25-55 per bag, depending on the quantity of Laddus.

Ajay Kumar Jolly, chairman and managing director Jute Corporation of India, said, “The partnership with Hindalco has been an innovative journey to find a unique and sustainable solution to plastic pollution. India’s natural materials offer tremendous scope for alternative packaging materials.”

The company claims that it has already sold 60,000 different sizes of aluminium foil-laminated bags. And it plans to roll this out to other temples and industries across India as a sustainable packaging option.