Startup Makes Cutlery From Leaves To Avoid Plastic | Anuj Ramatri - An EcoFreak

Can you imagine carrying food in leaves? This start-up has made this possible by making amazing cutlery which is a great replacement for single-use plastic cutlery.

Credits:
Assistant Director: Ritu Mishra | @ritumishra4687
Scriptwriter: Ritu Mishra
Head Of Writing: Nisha Devi
Concept: Rimpa Rajpal Ramatri
Production: Prakash Chandra
Head of Post Production: Anuj Ramatri
Editor: Saurav Patra | @patra_on_yatra
Social Media Manager: Bhavya Sharma
Channel Manager: Vivek Rajput

[shantanuhardiha]

This is not a startup, it's just a smart work. Plates and cutlery made up of dry leaves are part of our Indian Culture since years. Every wedding, social gatherings or any holy food feast used to have ritual of serving foods in this type of leafy cutlery and even now also we do the same. As I said, this is the smart work done by the startup maker.

[ritikaraghuwanshi]

A suggestion: you should provide the name and details of the people(in the videos).That will make it easier for us as well as for them(they can get more customers).

[asiandramafan]

Before 90s there were plates made of sal tree leaves hugely used into occasions like wedding etc.. but then paper plates came and the styrofoam plates.. and now those old traditional plates are coming back.. .. i appreciate this 💕

[buddhapiyao]

in our villages such plates were used for ages. they used to sew the leaves just like its shown in the video and soak them in starch water which usually was rice starch or tapioca starch water and then dry it in the sun. the dried starch would give some sturdiness to the plates. these plates were either fed to cattle or composted with cow manure after use. just a suggestion to these plate makers. they can try using a combination of edible gum also called "Gond" and vegetable starch to stiffen after sewing these leaves. instead of using cardboard. they can use this edible gum and vegetable starch glue between 2 plates and stick them together and then put them in molds to cut it into whatever cutlery they want. Also old jaggery when boiled for long and dried becomes very hard. using old jaggery and Gond was a common "Waterproofing" for roofs in village homes. similar technique can be used for making cutlery too without having to use cardboard.
Another alternative would be use coir sheets. coir is a very sturdy material that comes from the waste of coconut trees. making coir sheets and attaching the leaves to it would also give sturdiness to the cutlery. bamboo scraps left after making bamboo furniture or just shredding bamboo into very thin strings too can be used just like coir to support the leaves and make the cutlery sturdy. Even the loofah from the loofah gourd can be used in like coir. coir, bamboo, plant loofah are all sustainable plant products and "reusable" . the loofah sponges can be used multiple times if you wash them thoroughly after use and dry them in the sun. so sheets made out of loofah can also be used in place of cardboards. our country consumes millions of coconuts every year. so much can be done with coconut shells. All palm trees shed a tough yet flexible sheet like layer as they grow. these sheets are naturally waterproof. if we strongly decide to stop plastics, for a country like ours with so many resources it wont be difficult. but we all should consciously and aggressively do so.
Cardboard again is paper derived from cutting trees. I would encourage these people to try and use only plant based glues with "Sustainable" plant products like coir and bamboo strings and improvise on their products.

[soumyadyutisaha]

Sir, I am from Paschim Medinipur district of west bengal, here many sal trees are seen in this area. The people of the village here pick the leaves of that tree and sew them to make plates bowls with different Designs. There is a huge demand for this leaf plate bowl in these areas. These things are used in all kinds of occasions here. These customs have been going on for many years.
Thank you

[pascaljonathan]

Great initiative to reduce plastic 👏🏼👏🏼

One suggestion: Please avoid using plastic to pack the cutlery 3:12. It destroys the purpose of Vistaraku.

Thank you and keep up the good work 👍🏼

[ragsvd]

at 0:20 the startup name is VISTARAKU (its the name given to food serving leaf stitched plates across temples and marriages in south india) and not vistakaru..

[shuklaburathoki]

It’s wonderful that old traditions are reviving
We also used to use leaves plates and bowls in Himachal in ceremonies

[bibeklamichhane]

Areca leaves also offer a natural and ecofriendly option for disposable tableware, making them a great choice for those looking to reduce their environmental impact

[peacockLife]

perfect, climate friendly and easy to dispose.. no stamp on the environment.leaves were used before but making them package able like this is amazing

[kunmunsmruti]

Really. ...old is things are going to have new forms....👏👏👏👏

[AuthorBooksReader]

The plates from areca leaves are strong and durable. they are also leakproof and can even be used for microwave cooking.
the products from such leaves should be encouraged. More innovative products from such leaves can replace the packaging of plastic products.

[cynthiahawkins]

As I said in another comment in a recent video - people in America are often arrogant about use of plastic and styrofoam, preferring to keep it up as a practice, and not consider the consequences. We are now drowning in our own garbage, if you see my meaning. So anything like this which can reduce waste, create value, and help the environment must be wonderful. I send you a big hello from New Orleans.

[mithilavranade]

Drona and patravali have been used since ancient times. its good to know that the trend is coming back to replace plastic.

[rvind]

Hopefully ancient Indian wisdom revives among people. 🙏🌼

[ashutoshmohanty]

It's Like we are doing the Old one in new way.. ❤️
Our tradition 💝

[kaaask]

Government should take initiative for mass production. The plastic containers used by restaurants and railways must be replaced with these kind of ecofriendly products

[bhushanbunde]

it is very good but question is from where I can buy this?
Please provide buying details

[formobile]

It's great to see that a traditional practice that was very common in the past is revived and made relevant to the contemporary times with the help of innovative approach and modern technology.

[_basu_]

For those who don't know that it's been for ages India has been making and using utensils of Leaves.Hum to bachpan se kha rahe h khana usme.