Plastic-Free Navratri: How Biodegradable Plates and Cutlery Can Replace Plastic?
Navratri is a time of devotion, dance, and community. Every year in Navratri, Friends & families gather, distribute prasad, and organize community feasts. However, one issue that has been overlooked is the large amount of single-use plastic plates, bowls, spoons, and glasses that are used during the same time as the festivities. This plastic not only pollutes our communities but also impacts health and our environment. The good news is that sustainable options are no longer unavailable - they can be used for festivals too.
It will make a big difference if we switch to biodegradable plates or cutlery during Navratri. While it may not be a significant change for single households, across a multiplicity of households, this can yield tons of plastic waste. Let's explore the challenges that plastic brings, how biodegradable options can help, and actions for you to run a plastic-free Navratri.
The Problem of Using Plastic During Festivals
India produces 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste/year, as stated in the plastic for change Report. This amount of plastic from India is multiplied during celebration events like Navratri due to the high use of disposable plastic during community feasts, bhandaras, pandals, and gatherings.
In order to understand the severity:
According to UNEP, 50% of all plastic produced is single-use.
74% of plastic waste produced globally ends up as waste in landfills and natural environments.
In India, only 60% of plastic waste is collected for recycling, with the balance remaining left to pollute soil and water. (MoEFCC)
After every Navratri event, the site surrounding temples and community gathering spaces displays significant waste. Specifically, piles of plastic plates, spoons, and cups. These single-use disposables often tend to last 500 years, and when burned, release toxic fumes that affect air quality and public health.
Clearly, the fun of celebration must not come at the expense of our environment. So, here comes biodegradable plates & cutlery.
Benefits Of Using Biodegradable Plates & Cutlery
Biodegradable plates & cutlery are made from options like bagasse, areca plates, corn starch, and bamboo. They are a greener option to use in big festivals like Navratri. Here is why they are a better option:
Environmentally Safe
Biodegradable plates decompose within a few days compared to centuries for plastic. Additionally, biodegradable plates break down into compost instead of toxic residue.
Health-Friendly
Plastic disposables release microplastics and toxins when they come into contact with food, especially when the food is hot. More natural materials, like the areca leaf or bagasse, do not leach toxins into the compostables.
Cost-Effective at Scale
Compostable plates are initially more expensive than plastic plates, but it makes sense to go with an environmentally sound, plastic-free solution. Plus, purchasing in bulk decreases your costs.
Strong and Practical
As opposed to plastic or thermocol plates, biodegradable plates are suitable (microwaveable), are resistant to leaks from liquids, and are sufficiently strong to accommodate Indian-style meals.
Supports Local Businesses
Most biodegradable products are produced by small-scale or rural units. Taking a local scissors option helps to employ local suppliers and invest in the economy while creating green jobs.
How to Make Plastic-Free Navratri?
You can go plastic-free for Navratri without making it complicated! Here's one practical pathway:
Picking Biodegradable Products
First and foremost, when going plastic-free for Navratri, you will need to choose eco-friendly tableware items that are practical. Plates and bowls made from areca palm leaves or sugarcane bagasse work really well for traditional festive meals, as they will not collapse or leak. For cutlery, choose wooden or cornstarch spoons and forks instead of the popular single-use plastic cutlery, then, when it comes to drinks, use biodegradable cups for serving juices, sherbets, or buttermilk drinks.
Compostable plates & cutlery are compostable, sturdy, can handle hot or oily food effectively, inexpensive, and are just right for serving prasad or food at a community feast. When you use biodegradable products for eco-friendly Navratri, you not only begin to reduce plastic waste, but you also begin to make the celebration health-oriented and responsible.
Buy in Bulk
Most events are large gatherings, and buying in bulk is the perfect option for serving prasad and bandaras to people without any guilt. By purchasing biodegradable products in bulk, you can ensure you don't run short on items to use, and you'll also save money. Avoid the cheap plastic imitations that still may have plastic in them.
Set Up Waste Collection
Using biodegradable products is only half the work. Ensure the products are collected separately after using them and are sent to compost. If you can, you can also compost items at home if you have space. Be sure to work with local waste collectors to ensure the waste will be processed correctly.
Inform Guests and Volunteers
It is all about awareness. Make an announcement during your pandal or event that you will be using eco-friendly tableware. A simple announcement will help guests remember to do their part (plus they may feel inspired to practice in their own homes).
Where You Can, Use Reusables
With smaller family get-togethers, the best option is to use steel thalis, bowls, and glasses. Yes, you will have to wash, but there won't be any waste at all. You can certainly use biodegradable disposables for larger occasions like bandaras, large family get-togethers, or in distributing prasad, where reusables aren't practical.
Decorate Eco-friendly
Your eco-friendly habit shouldn't be just with tableware. Use cotton bunting, natural flowers, clay diyas, and reusable decorative items (not plastic). Not only do they look more traditional, but they also reduce waste.
Conclusion
Navratri is a festival to celebrate the fight of good over evil. This year, let’s join together to fight one of the biggest evils of our time, plastic pollution. It takes no effort on your part to help contribute to reducing plastic waste, improving health, and improving the environment by using biodegradable plates and cutlery.
If even 10% of the Navratri celebrations in India (of the estimated 600,000+ community events) took a simple step of celebrating plastic-free Navratri and using biodegradable materials, we could have a waste diversion of thousands of tonnes of plastic waste going into landfills in 9 days.
Celebrations are meaningful when we honour both ideals of tradition and nature. This Navratri, let your access to presently enjoy your devotion also be access to sustainable practice. Go plastic capsaicin and inspire others to follow.