As a much-needed action, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified that the government would ban identified single-use plastic items across India from 1 July. The Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 banned the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carry bags with a thickness below 75 microns.
The products falling under single-use plastic include plastic sticks used for earbuds, balloons, candy, and ice cream. Other items are disposable plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, decorative polystyrene (Thermocol), wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, and plastic or PVC banners below 100 microns.
As travelers, we often pollute the environment by littering used plastic packets, carry bags, plates, and cutleries, not forgetting those complimentary toiletries provided at our lodging facilities. As a responsible and environment-conserving citizen, one can support this move to curb the single-use plastic menace on air, land, and water bodies. Just switch to a few simple alternatives to become a green champ.
There are a few Indian brands that are offering sustainable solutions. Meanwhile, it also facilitates one to support several marginal communities earning their livelihoods from naturally eco-friendly products.
Bamboo Beckons
Often as a means to replace plastic products, woods are used. Chopping trees to give an alternative solution for plastic doesn’t go well with nature. It leads to that paradoxical chicken and egg story. So how to fix it? Bamboo says consider me! It is one of the most sustainable crops. As a fast-growing grass, it needs no fertilizer or replanting. It self-regenerates from its roots. So, men, women, and kids can include bamboo products such as toothbrushes, tongue cleaners, combs, natural shaving razors, and earbuds.
Bamboo India is a one-stop online shop for such items at a very reasonable price. As its slogan says, “It’s not for the income, but for the outcome,” it aims to associate over 1000 families as a part of the India mission by December this year. In the process, it strives to reduce 10 lakh kg of plastic waste across the globe by using innovative bamboo products every year.
It’s time to be responsible consumers. Try these Bamboo products today for a better tomorrow.
Steel The Deal
Remember those old days when, while traveling, our parents used to carry a jumbo water jug, and a few of these products could keep the water chilled? But then the disposable mineral water plastic bottle came, almost wiping out those jugs from the scene. Fast forward to today; if not the pitchers, we can always carry steel bottles. Similarly, some other eco-friendly products to add to your kit would be steel straws, reusable foldable glass, foldable coffee mugs, small plates, and steel cutleries. Do have a look at Brown Living.
This indigenous brand has been championing the cause of reducing carbon footprint. Instead of sending packages from the central warehouse, it sends them directly from the manufacturing hub and ships them plastic-free. It has also been driving its afforestation mission and has planted 14,674 trees. You can also join its ambassador program and conserve the environment.
Also, read: This Duo Planted 15000+ Plants Converting Barren Lands Into Urban Forests In Bharuch And Counting
Bag The Badge With Upcycle
Banning single-use plastic bags often makes us switch to cloth bags. But, if one analyzes, it will unbox cotton’s dangers unless not produced following sustainable practices. Such cotton crop uses approximately 6% of the world’s pesticides and 16% of all insecticides, contaminating the soil, water, and aquatic life. This crop’s water consumption is among the highest and can trigger water scarcity.
Also, read: This Startup Upcycles Plastic Waste Into Aesthetic Products, Enabling Rural Livelihoods
What can be a judicious alternative? The answer lies in bags made of upcycling waste. An ideal choice is reCharkha. This home-grown brand of India upcycles a wide range of plastic waste. Meanwhile, it has created livelihood by employing tribal women who manually weave fabric from waste plastic using a traditional charkha (Spindle) and handloom. From shopping bags, totes, beach bags, cutlery, and water bottle holders to backpacks, try these eco-friendly reCharkha products.
So are you ready to switch sides and be a true green traveler?