According to the recent UNEP report, about 300 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced every year, which is nearly equivalent to the weight of the entire human population. Yup, let that sink in for a moment. The growing concern is the shift from durable plastic to single-use plastic, dumped in landfills and water bodies. These single-use plastic products are everywhere and have become a part of our daily lives, especially containers and packaging for food, such as water bottles, chips packets, plastic bags, cutlery, and more.
To increase awareness about this and reduce plastic pollution, an Australian-based organisation founded by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz started Plastic Free July®, a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities.
The culinary industry is also understanding the need for change and is moving towards a plastic-free alternative. In fact, many homegrown brands are coming up with biodegradable, compostable and safe food packaging solutions. If you’re starting your sustainable journey soon or already on that path, show your support to the eco-friendly food packaging brands on our radar, not just this month but throughout your life.
1. Ecoware
Ecoware is your one-stop shop for all eco-friendly food packaging solutions, from boxes and bowls to plates and cutlery. Founded by Rhea Mazumdar Singhal, the New Delhi-based label has been making waves in the sustainable packaging category since 2010 with its products made from crop waste.
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2. Pappco Greenware
Based in Mumbai, Pappco Greenware uses residual sugarcane or Bagasse, churns it and converts it into a pulp. After high temperature and pressure are applied, the pulp is moulded into high-quality, 100% compostable tableware, which can be decomposed in your backyard or home compost. The brand also features takeaway packages, anti-leak bowls, glass bottles with lids, coffee cups and lids, other products like sustainable pizza boxes, cake boxes and wooden cutlery.
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3. Evirocor
Manufactured in Bengaluru, Evirocor’s products are made from Oko, a sustainable packaging material developed by the brand in-house. As an alternative to single-use plastics and aluminium food containers, Oko is food-friendly, 100% biodegradable, home compostable, and recyclable. Since the production process requires no heat, the carbon emissions produced are 95% lesser compared to other alternatives. The wide product range includes wet and dry food containers, burger boxes, salad containers, hinged lid containers, and more.
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4. Trishula
One of the best ways to go plastic-free is to make the product edible. With a keen interest in this concept, Kruvil Patel, a mechanical engineer from Vadodara, Gujarat, founded Trishula. As of now, the brand makes edible spoons with multigrain flour, natural flavours, salt and water. The idea is to eat your food with a spoon and then eat that spoon itself. Upcoming products include ice cream scoops, mini forks, stirrers, candy sticks and chopsticks, and TBH we can’t wait to eat them all!
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5. House Of Folium
Due to the ongoing pandemic, people have made a conscious shift towards organic food and sustainable packaging alternatives. Having observed this, a former software engineer S.V. Vijay Lakshmi began her small business, House Of Folium, in Visakhapatnam. Selling eco-friendly cutlery, the company has a range of plates, bowls, forks and spoons made from sugarcane pulp.
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6. CHUK
CHUK also makes its products from sugarcane leftovers, but what makes it interesting is that the containers can be used in ovens and microwaves. Another plus is that it doesn’t interfere with the aroma of the food, so if you want to savour a delicious biryani, you don’t have to worry about how it will smell or taste after it is delivered to you in these boxes.
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7. Dinearth Ecofriendly Tableware
Another brand whose products are microwavable and oil resistant, Mumbai-based Dinearth’s products are made from 100% biodegradable sugarcane bagasse and are compostable.
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8. Bumboo
With the intention of spreading awareness of responsible disposal, New Delhi-based Bumboo uses bamboo fibre (as the name suggests) to make plates and other boxes for your culinary needs.
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