ARE BIO-PLASTICS FUTURE OF PACKAGING?
Back there in 1907, a breakthrough was started by the introduction of first real synthetic popularly known as plastic.
Since then it got used widely from the 1960s till now there has been an enormous growth in R&D and in the production of different types of plastics as well.
Plastics brought a major change in our livelihood through its diversified uses. but its impact on the environment causing various kinds of pollution was way higher than its diversified uses.
According to the reports, more than 8 million tons of plastic dumped in our oceans every year. only about 9 percent of plastic gets recycled, much of the rest pollutes the environment or sits in landfills, where it can take up to 500 years to decompose while leaching toxic chemicals into the ground.
Plastics comprise a large family of materials that can be majorly classified into few types.
Traditional plastic is made from the carbon footprints available in the fossil fuels emits harmful greenhouse gases during production and decomposition
As traditional plastic comprises of chemicals it has more disadvantages prior to advantages.
whereas Bio-based plastic is made in whole or part from renewable biological resources or degraded by microorganisms into the water, carbon dioxide (or methane), and biomass under specified conditions are more eco -friendly.
During the 1900s Bio-based plastics are hard to produce and were less durable and less resistant compare to traditional plastics.
Though we know that bio-based plastic is more eco-friendly than traditional plastic. traditional plastics are widely used due to its more chemical resistance, heat resistance, and low cost.
Due to the wide usage of traditional plastic over the past few decades and not ensuring proper disposal methods the world is witnessing unusual changes in the environment.
In meanwhile over the past few years, some scientists unveiled a new form of bio-based plastic made from the sugars in corn starch, cassava, or sugarcane.
These new bio-based plastics durability, resistance(chemical & thermal) are equivalent to traditional plastic.
When it comes to degradation bio-based plastics are biodegradable decomposition happens within weeks or months whereas traditional plastic decomposition takes years.
A study estimates that by 2030 there would be 40% of bioplastics share among global plastic production.
There are quite many examples around the world that show bioplastics could be the next revolution in food packaging.
Meet Mrs. Rhea Mazumdar Singhal introduced India’s first and largest sustainable packaging company Ecoware. Ecoware Rhea is trying to free India from plastic by providing 100 percent biodegradable and compostable alternatives to single-use plastic.
In 2009 when 27-year-old Rhea left her cushy job in the UK and moved to Delhi, she got a setback seeing the omnipresence of plastic and lack of responsible living. Since she grew up between Dubai and London, she was used to segregating waste at home, not use plastic, and lead a responsible life. But Delhi had something else in store for her.
Making Of 100 percent Biodegradable And Compostable Products By Ecoware
The 100 percent biodegradable and compostable tableware and cutlery are made using plant biomass which is agriculture waste that is left over once crops such as wheat, rice, and sugarcane are processed. The agriculture waste collected from farmers is converted to tableware without any additives and binders. Since it is made of natural material, it is compostable which simply means put it into the soil and it will turn into the soil within 90 days. Also, it is a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) certified biobased product.
Apart from boasting environmental benefits, Ecoware products are user-friendly. They can sustain a temperature range of minus 20 to 180 degrees which implies they can be used in the refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and oven.
The environmental impact of the products is backed up by social and environmental impact assessment done by Shujog, a Singapore based not-for-profit organization. Ecoware products will prevent 621 tonnes of plastic annually from reaching India’s dying landfills and rivers, along with this, 2800 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions offset annually. The manufacturing of the product utilizes 78 percent less water than paper, 93 percent than thermocol based products and saves 7,264 trees. Once discarded, the waste product improves soil quality by releasing micro-nutrients.
Initially, Ecoware manufactured only bowls and plates, but today it hosts a wide variety of 26 compostable tableware, cutlery, takeaway packaging, and garbage bags, all priced between Rs. 1 to Rs. 25 per piece. All the products are available in a pack of 20.
The company has successfully grown from five customers in 2009 to over 500 in 500 in 2019. Today, Ecoware has 27 distributors in 22 states across India and products are demanded from Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala.
We now produce over 40 million pieces of 100 percent compostable tableware pieces each year. We work with various customer groups — QSRs (quick-service restaurants), offices, schools, cinema chains. However, the most recent success has been to partner with the Indian Railways, the largest foodservice operator in India”, says Rhea. — — Heroes of swachh India Article.
Rhea wishes to achieve her vision of plastic-free India by raising public awareness, educating people, and offering an affordable alternative to consumers.
for more insights about Rhea and biodegradable products visit www.ecoware.in
This success story of Rhea Singhal inspired many youngsters in India which also paved a way towards sustainable development goals by choosing eco-friendly alternatives of plastics for packaging.
Through these stories, it is certain that the bioplastics might soon replace the traditional plastic in every sector which ultimately makes the world plastic-free.
