Namkeen Queens Sustainable and Circular Packaging System

Every snack we create is crafted with the warmth and care of ‘Maa ka Khana’ — mother’s cooking that carries love in every bite.

Here, food is not just sustenance; it is about love, connection, tradition, and the deep bonds we share with our people, culture, and the environment. The heart of ‘Maa ka Khana’ lies in warmth, comfort, nostalgia, and happy memories. This tradition embodies care for family, friends, and the world around us, resonating with the love that mothers pour into their cooking. It is a reminder of celebrations, cherished moments, and the affection that nourishes us. With this same affection, we bring care to our packaging, weaving in sustainable and circular principles to respect the environment. Our packaging is inspired by the concepts of sustainability and circularity — two principles that complement each other yet carry unique significance.

What is the difference between sustainability and circularity?

Though closely linked, sustainability and circularity have unique roles and distinct focus areas. Sustainability is a broad, overarching concept that strives to meet present needs without compromising the needs of future generations. It is about balance, reducing environmental impact, and uplifting social and economic well-being, from reducing waste to supporting ethical labor practices.

Circularity, on the other hand, is a specific approach to sustainability. It envisions a world where products and materials stay within a continuous loop, designed for longevity, repairability, and recyclability. Circular practices help to minimize waste and reduce dependence on raw resources, crafting a closed-loop system that’s gentle on the Earth.

Together, these two approaches work harmoniously to create a healthier, more balanced way of using resources. With this combined vision, our packaging system reflects sustainable and circular strategies in connection to the Indian food culture.

Namkeen Queens’ Sustainable and Circular Packaging System

Our packaging consists of two parts: a ‘main packaging’ that is reusable and recyclable and a ‘refill packaging’ that is biodegradable and fully compostable for both home and industrial composting.

True to our Indian heritage, the main packaging is crafted from tinplate containers, which customers can use repeatedly. Tinplate is a thin sheet of steel coated with tin, making it durable, rust-resistant, and safe for food storage. This durable choice reflects Indian kitchens, where steel containers and tin boxes are cherished for both their practicality and cultural significance. Tinplate’s strength allows for ongoing reuse, and it’s lightweight, reducing logistical impact, and is fully recyclable with a good recycling rate in the U.S.

Our refill system is designed to complement our subscription model, allowing customers to receive their favorite snacks on a regular basis. Compostable cellophane bags are made from plant-based cellulose, typically sourced from wood pulp or cotton. Certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), these bags are made from vegan, non-GMO materials, free of harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates. This cellophane is biodegradable and meets both home and industrial composting standards, making it an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics.

Guided by the ‘Cradle to Cradle’ framework, we adopt a circular approach to packaging, focusing on regenerative cycles that allow resources to continuously be reused or returned to nature in a sustainable way. Through these efforts, we strive to create packaging that genuinely completes a circular journey. Our packaging system embodies a pathway where materials complete an entire cycle, aligning with our vision of a healthier, balanced world. By blending these principles and approaches, we aim to create packaging that completes a circular journey, respecting nature while embodying Indian cultural heritage and values.

Figure 1: Namkeen Queens’ Circular Packaging System

We also intentionally designed our tinplate containers without permanent branding to maximize their usability. By keeping them unbranded, we give them greater flexibility to serve various purposes beyond snack storage or a container for trinkets and small items. Once these containers are no longer fit for any functional purposes, they can be sent for recycling. According to 2018 data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, steel containers, and packaging have the 2nd highest percentage of recycling rate, 73.75%, trailing behind paper and cardboard with an 80.9% recycling rate.

In contrast, plastic packaging lags significantly, with only a 13.6% recycling rate in the U.S. Even if we chose recyclable plastics like PET, the likelihood of these materials returning to a circular system remains low. This reality led us to seek a material that’s biodegradable and compostable, even in home settings where access to industrial composting is limited. Compostable cellophane bags meet these criteria and are now the choice for our refill packaging, aligning with our commitment to a closed-loop system.

In addition to a circular approach, our packaging integrates 25 sustainable strategies that emphasize thoughtful design, material selection, and distribution practices. These strategies guide our process as we develop Namkeen Queens’ packaging with care for the environment and the experience it provides.

Figure 2: Twenty-five sustainable strategies adopted by Namkeen Queens

This is only the start of our journey. By continuing to share insights with you, our customers, we hope to inspire responsible handling of our packaging after its first use. Our future vision includes a take-back program to reclaim packaging waste; until then, we will work together to offer you the finest Indian snacks while doing our utmost to minimize the environmental impact of our offerings.