Eco-friendly products displayed at national expo in Chennai

CHENNAI: As many as 150 stalls were set up for the National expo on Eco-alternatives to Single Use Plastics (SUP) at Chennai Trade Centre on Monday.

Various products, including edible cups, plates, cloth bags, well -being products are displayed to create awareness to avoid plastic use in daily life.

M Ravichandran, Managing Director of Yucca bio green products, a Tiruchy-based company, sells edible cups and plates manufactured using grape seeds, dry fish, herbal, drumstick skin, jack fruit, and paddy.

"In the next 10 years, plastic products will be banned across the country as they create health hazards for the environment. To create awareness and bring an alternative use for the public, we manufacture edible products. However, these cubs and plates are not advised for reusable purposes. Even if they throw it away, it can be consumed by the cattle and stray animals," said Ravichandran.

The products are sold for Rs 3 per cup or plate at the stall, and they can be purchased through online portals. There are similar products made of tappioca and food colours, and tea cups produced using wheat, corn flour, soy protein etc.

Majority of the plastic usage is in the form of well-being products such as toothbrushes, shampoo conditioners, and vetiver footwear. There are alternative wooden products available to reduce plastic products' utilisation.

"Well-being items are used more in our daily life, which has the highest usage of plastic products. Though there are multiple things introduced on various platforms, due to lack of awareness of how much plastic impacts the environment. The usage of alternative use to SUPs is minimal," stated Mahesh Krishnswamy, proprietor of Whiteleaf in Coimbatore.

"We initiated by bringing air purifiers for cars containing charcoal which observed the toxic gas as the most products in the car are plastics, and is hazardous for the people while inhaling it. Also, after scientific testing, it has proven that it leads to an increase in cancer cases. It is our responsibility not to spoil the environment and enhance health and wellness through reducing plastic use," he added.

After the expo and startup conference, the government is planning to set up a portal for alternative usage of SUPs. Instead of using plastic items for any occasion such as weddings and events, they can purchase eco-friendly products through the online portal of government, said an official.