Chuck the plastic with these cool alternatives

In the pursuit of a sustainable future, going plastic-free is more crucial today than ever. After all, 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic has been produced since plastic was introduced in the 1950s and 79% of it still sits in landfills, leeching into our soil and water bodies! 

Common plastic items like tableware and packaging rarely conform to the core principles of sustainability—the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Fortunately, today, several Indian brands are giving us the power to choose better. They are bringing about a new wave of sustainability with alternatives to plastics, especially in tableware, using materials like sugarcane bagasse, coconut shells, rice husk fibers and so on. 

Here are our chosen five. 

Thenga

Thenga is a sustainable, homegrown brand from Kerala that transforms discarded coconut shells into beautiful, functional home products. Founded in 2019 by Maria Kuriakose, a native of Kerala, the brand was born from her belief that coconuts are more than just oil and water—they’re a source of untapped potential. 

By repurposing what’s often considered waste, Thenga gives coconut shells a second life, crafting bowls, utensils, and more that are natural, durable, and eco-friendly. Each item is handcrafted for the conscious consumer as opposed to mass-produced plastic products, proving that sustainability can be both practical and beautiful. 

Also read: Sal-sufficient: Leafy tableware of Odisha’s Santhal tribe

Chuk 

Chuk is among India’s leading sugarcane-based tableware brands, offering sturdy and compostable alternatives to single-use plastic. It offers a wide range of plates, bowls, trays, and delivery containers. 

Once used, these items can be tossed into the compost bin where they naturally break down, leaving no harmful residue behind. Chuk’s tableware products are made with bagasse, the fibrous byproduct of sugarcane. 

At its core, the brand aims to reduce garbage, replace plastics with non-toxic alternatives and help the Earth thrive. 

The Bamboo Bae

When travel enthusiasts Anuj Sagar and Sanchit Goyal discovered the great menace of plastic pollution during their travels, they knew they had to find a solution. During their journey through the lush jungles of northeast India they discovered the magic of bamboo as an alternative to plastic. 

With this, The Bamboo Bae was born. This sustainable lifestyle brand offers a range of bamboo-made products such as vanity items like combs and brushes, bamboo-made furniture, home decor items and kitchenware, eco-friendly gift items and more, inviting consumers to be part of the solution by making more conscious, plastic-free choices. 

Irida Naturals

Founded in 2021 by two environmentally conscious individuals Sanjana and Sooraj, Irida Naturals promotes a more realistic, step-by-step approach to adopting sustainable living. Their range of products include items like disposable plates made with areca palm leaves, bowls made from rice husk and bamboo fiber, and more. Irida Naturals thus offers a stylish yet responsible alternative to plastic. 

Pappco Greenware

Pappco Greenware is an eco-friendly packaging brand that began its journey in 2010, inspired by the urgent need to address plastic pollution on the streets of Kalbadevi, Mumbai. 

Founded by Anil Agarwal after years of dedicated research, Pappco Greenware offers innovative, sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics, especially using sugarcane bagasse. 

Their mission is rooted in creating high-quality, food-safe packaging solutions that are both environmentally responsible and user-friendly. Today, the brand is widely recognised across India and abroad, with a customer base ranging from local stores to global names like TATA Starbucks, Marriott Hotels, and Reliance Retail. 

Also read: Making sal leaf plates lifts women out of poverty

The lead image shows an eco-friendly tableware set crafted using palm leaves. (Photo courtesy: Shutterstock)