Zomato has launched a new ‘Low Plastic Packaging’ filter on its food delivery app, marking a significant step towards promoting sustainable consumption and reducing plastic waste in India’s fast-growing food delivery sector. The feature allows users to easily identify and order from restaurants that have adopted alternatives to conventional plastic packaging, making environmentally responsible choices more accessible during everyday food orders.
The newly introduced filter is available under the ‘Trust Markers’ section on the Zomato app. It highlights restaurants participating in Zomato’s Plastic-Free Future Program, an initiative focused on encouraging the use of sustainable packaging materials. Restaurants featured under this category primarily rely on non-plastic alternatives such as paper, bagasse, glass and aluminium to package their main food items.
In addition to the filter, restaurants using sustainable packaging will be clearly marked with a ‘Low plastic packaging’ tag on their menu pages. Customers will also see a visible mention of the packaging choice in their order summary, ensuring greater transparency at the point of purchase. This added visibility is designed to help users make informed decisions while placing food orders, without compromising on convenience.
The Plastic-Free Future Program, launched in December 2024, has seen rapid adoption among restaurant partners. It currently includes around 10,000 restaurants representing more than 290 brands, spread across over 490 cities in India. The introduction of the new filter is expected to further increase the reach of these restaurants, giving them greater exposure to environmentally conscious customers and incentivising more food outlets to transition away from plastic packaging.
By simplifying discovery, Zomato aims to bridge the gap between consumer intent and action when it comes to sustainability. As awareness around plastic pollution grows, many users are seeking ways to reduce their environmental footprint, even in routine activities such as ordering food online. The low plastic packaging filter responds directly to this demand by embedding sustainability into the digital ordering experience.
Zomato’s sustainability efforts extend beyond packaging alternatives. The company also operates a voluntary plastic waste recycling initiative known as 100 per cent plastic neutral deliveries. Through this programme, Zomato ensures that an amount of plastic equivalent to what is used by restaurants for food delivery packaging is collected and recycled. Since the financial year 2023, the platform has recycled approximately 45,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste, contributing to improved waste management outcomes.
The company has already facilitated around 80 million orders from restaurants enrolled in the Plastic-Free Future Program, demonstrating both consumer acceptance and operational scalability. With the addition of the low plastic packaging filter, Zomato expects this number to grow further, strengthening the business case for sustainability among restaurant partners.
India continues to grapple with mounting plastic waste, particularly single-use plastics associated with food and beverage consumption. Initiatives led by large digital platforms such as Zomato play a critical role in driving behavioural change at scale by influencing both consumer preferences and supplier practices. By integrating sustainability-focused features directly into its app interface, Zomato is positioning itself as a key enabler of greener food delivery choices.
The launch of the low plastic packaging filter reflects a broader shift within the food tech industry towards responsible growth and environmental accountability. As more sustainable packaging options become commercially viable, such initiatives are expected to gain momentum, helping reduce plastic pollution while supporting businesses that prioritise eco-friendly operations.
With millions of daily users, Zomato’s latest feature underscores how technology-led platforms can support climate-conscious decision-making, one food order at a time.
