International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue VI, June 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Biodegradable Cutleries and Tableware as Substitute for Plastic: An Exploratory Study on Green Solutions

Moneswari Boro¹, Rajkumari Jaya Devi², Prof. L.S. Sharma^3
1,2Research Scholar, Department of Management, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
³Professor Department of Management, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India

Abstract: – Indian food has the most varied flavours in the world as there is no homogeneity of flavor found in North and South or East and West. But when the time comes to serve the food, a variety of plastic wares are used, which has become a major concern to the environment. A number of food and beverage outlets are available now a days, whether it’s located on roadside or restaurants etc. Street food vendors, food and beverage outlets in different hotels, restaurants and catering units generally prefer disposal plastic cutleries and tableware also known as “single – use plastic” which are used once and then thrown away. The most common reason behind the use of disposal plastic items is to save time from cleaning the utensils. So plastic items have become one of the fastest growing problems for the environment. The study tries to understand the concept of biodegradable cutleries and tableware and its relevance to the environment sustainability. This research paper is exploratory in nature with evidence based on secondary data. The study intended to examine the various types of biodegradable cutleries and tableware that can replace the single use plastics. The conclusion made in the study will bring insight about the advantages and how it is eco-friendly.

Keywords: Biodegradable cutleries and tableware, eco – friendly, sustainability, environment.

I. INTRODUCTION

Plastic pollution is a global problem that is growing exponentially due to both an increase in consumerism and an increase in the number of plastics used to manufacture the things we use on a daily basis. As of 2018, about 380 million tones of plastic is produced worldwide each year. From the 1950s up to 2018, an estimated 6.3 billion tones of plastic has been produced worldwide, of which an estimated 9% has been recycled and another 12% has been incinerated. This large amount of plastic waste enters the environment, with studies suggesting that the bodies of 90% of seabirds contain plastic debris. In some areas there have been significant efforts to reduce the prominence of free range plastic pollution, through reducing plastic consumption, litter cleanup, and promoting plastic recycling. Some researchers suggest that by 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans by weight. For more than 50 years, global production and consumption of plastics have continued to rise. An estimated 299 million tons of plastics were produced in 2013, representing a 4 percent increase over 2012, and confirming and upward trend over the past years.