Archive · 27 Sep 2026
Maharashtra Students Invited to Pitch Sustainable Packaging Alternatives
Maharashtra has launched a state-wide challenge about better packaging.
Students and young researchers can suggest ideas to replace single-use plastic.
Their packaging should be made in India.
It should also be more than 90% biodegradable.
This means most of it should break down naturally.
The organizers want ideas that could become real products.
Several universities are helping connect student research with businesses.
The program is supported through the HiiVE framework and includes a cooperation agreement for future work.
Students, researchers, and young innovators across Maharashtra are invited to design alternatives to single-use plastics.
Proposed packaging solutions must be Made in India and more than 90% biodegradable.
The initiative seeks commercially viable, circular-economy products that can move from research to the market.
Universities including the University of Mumbai, COEP Technological University, and Shivaji University joined consultations on scaling innovations.
A Joint Declaration of Cooperation was signed under the HiiVE framework, involving the Government of Maharashtra, IICARE Foundation, and Environmental Forum of India.
- Who
- Students, researchers, and young innovators across Maharashtra, with participating universities and initiative partners.
- What
- A state-wide hackathon and innovation initiative seeking biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastic packaging.
- When
- The launch timing was not specified in the article.
- Where
- Maharashtra, involving universities including the University of Mumbai, COEP Technological University, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Shivaji University, and Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University.
- Why
- To accelerate the shift away from single-use plastics, support circular-economy solutions, and connect academic research with industry demand.
- Initiative
- State-wide sustainable packaging hackathon
- Eligibility
- Students, researchers, and young innovators across Maharashtra
- Packaging target
- Made-in-India alternatives more than 90% biodegradable
- Primary goal
- Replace single-use plastics with commercially viable solutions
- Participating institutions
- University of Mumbai, COEP Technological University, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Shivaji University, and Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University
- Cooperation agreement
- A Joint Declaration of Cooperation covering incubation, research, and commercialization
- Framework and partners
- HiiVE, involving the Government of Maharashtra, IICARE Foundation, and Environmental Forum of India, with Group Legrand India supporting CSR and sustainability commitments