Naaz Ozair of Muzaffarpur: Turning Corn Husk into Eco-Friendly Packaging Stuff!

Ever heard of chocolate wrappers that decompose naturally or tea cups made from corn husk? Sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel, doesn’t it? But in the bustling heart of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, Naaz Ozair has turned this vision into a thriving reality.

In a world drowning in plastic, where every chai peene wala (tea drinker) unknowingly adds to the mountain of waste, a silent revolution is taking place. Naaz Ozair, an innovator at heart, has transformed corn husk—a material most of us would dismiss as useless—into eco-friendly alternatives that could replace plastic in our daily lives. But this journey didn’t begin in a state-of-the-art lab or with a government grant. It began with grief.

Seven years ago, Naaz faced an unbearable tragedy when he lost his young nephew to cancer. While seeking answers, he learned something shocking—microplastics, often found in food packaging, can contribute to severe health issues. This realisation hit him hard. If something as small as a plastic wrapper could be a silent killer, then what were we really consuming every day? Determined to find an alternative, he turned to what was readily available in his hometown: corn husks. Unlike plastic, which lingers in the environment for centuries, corn husk is biodegradable, strong, and durable. It wasn’t long before his experiment turned into a full-fledged venture, producing everything from chocolate wrappers and tea cups to plates, bags, and even banners—all made from corn husk. Today, his company sells over 1,000 items daily, and his creations are being embraced across India, from Gujarat to West Bengal. But his journey was far from easy.

After quitting his stable job as an MTech teacher, Naaz poured his life savings into his research. He faced multiple failures before achieving success. His perseverance, however, paid off, and today, his work is recognised by IIT Patna and supported by the Bihar Startup Program.

Sustainability Meets Social Impact

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But Naaz’s innovation isn’t just about reducing plastic pollution—it’s also about community empowerment. In Bihar, where corn is cultivated three times a year, husks were once treated as agricultural waste. By repurposing them, Naaz has created an economic lifeline for local farmers, ensuring they earn extra income from a material that was previously discarded.

"We're not just making eco-friendly products," Naaz had explained in an interview, "we're creating a sustainable cycle where waste turns into wealth."

Through his venture, several local artisans and workers have found stable employment, learning new skills in sustainable product manufacturing. His initiative proves that sustainability isn’t just about the environment—it’s about people, livelihoods, and rethinking the way we use our resources.

The Future of Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Plastic has deeply embedded itself in our daily lives. From the wrappers of our favourite chocolates to the disposable cups that hold our morning chai, convenience has long outweighed concern. But what if we had a better choice? With governments worldwide cracking down on plastic use, businesses like Naaz Ozair's could become the norm rather than the exception. The future of sustainable packaging is vast, and Naaz is already looking beyond chocolates and tea cups. He’s experimenting with biodegradable packaging for food items, durable home décor, and even sustainable fabric coatings. His vision is clear, replace plastic with something that nurtures the planet instead of harming it. "It’s time we stop thinking of waste as something to discard," he says. "It’s a resource in the wrong place. We just need to put it to the right use."

Why You Should Care

It’s easy to assume that one person switching to an eco-friendly chocolate wrapper won’t change the world. But think about this, every small step adds up. If brands like Naaz Ozair's succeed, we might just see a world where plastic wrappers, disposable cups, and harmful packaging become a thing of the past.