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#biodegradable

Good News

DRDO Introduces Innovative Biodegradable Packaging, Paving the Way for a Greener Future

In an exciting leap toward sustainable innovation, India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a revolutionary biodegradable packaging material using polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), a polymer derived from plants or petroleum sources. This new packaging solution is designed to fully decompose within just three months, leaving no harmful traces and offering a promising alternative to conventional plastics.These biodegradable goods were successfully produced by the DRDO team at the Advanced Systems Laboratory in Hyderabad, under the direction of scientist Dr. K Veerabrahmam. According to reports, the PBAT-based packaging provides an environmentally responsible substitute without sacrificing quality, with strength and durability matching that of traditional plastics.  Studies on the effects on the environment, such as the International Organization for Standardization 17088 test, have verified that these recently created items are compostable.More than 40 businesses have received free access to the technology in an effort to encourage wider use across the nation. Veerabrahmam stated: "DRDO and its partners are committed to maintaining these biodegradable bags cost-effective, even with a slightly higher production cost of ₹160 ($1.90) to ₹180 per kg compared to regular polyethylene bags at ₹140 per kg.(Source: Google Images) “By sharing the technology free of charge and fostering collaborations, we aim to scale up production and distribution efficiently. This approach ensures that the benefits of this eco-friendly solution reach a broad audience.” This pilot program serves as a model for additional deployment in coastal regions, tourism sites, and other parts of the nation. This technology is said to have a wide range of potential uses, including packing films, shrink films, waste bags, aprons, and medical waste bags. This project is a big step in the right direction for domestic environmental preservation and sustainable living. The technology's patent is currently being worked on. The Advanced Systems Laboratory of the DRDO in Hyderabad has been conducting substantial research, which demonstrates their dedication to discovering the most environmentally acceptable alternatives to toxic plastic. The team said that the cooperation and the participation of many companies exemplify the collective effort required to combat the plastic pollution crisis.

9 Aug 2024
Good News

Attaware Edible Cutlery: A Delicious Solution to Plastic Pollution!

Plastics have become an inseparable part of our daily lives, but have we ever stopped to think about what happens to them after we dispose of them? Unfortunately, a significant portion ends up in landfills and oceans, contributing to the global plastic pollution crisis.  In India alone, a staggering 9.46 million tonnes of plastic are generated each year, with 43% being single-use plastic like packaging and cutlery. However, amidst this plastic predicament, a young entrepreneur from Delhi, Puneet Dutta, took matters into his own hands and founded Attaware Biodegradable Private Limited on August 15, 2019. The inspiration behind Attaware came to Puneet during a trip from Delhi to Vrindavan, where he witnessed the devastating sight of discarded Styrofoam plates strewn along the banks of the Yamuna River, spanning over 7.5 kilometers. This scene deeply troubled him, and he decided to create an innovative solution: edible cutlery. Attaware's edible cutlery is a groundbreaking invention made from a mix of grains (such as rice, wheat, barley, and jowar) and jaggery. Following ancient Vedic technology, the grains are combined with sugarcane juice and boiled at varying temperatures based on the Vedic calendar. The resulting jaggery chunks are then melted and molded into plates, spoons, forks, bowls, straws, glasses, and containers. These edible cutlery are not only eco-friendly and 100% biodegradable but are also certified by WHO, SSI, and the Ministry of Health. With a shelf life of six months and no added flavors, colors, additives, or preservatives, Attaware cutlery is an ideal alternative to single-use plastic. Moreover, after use, you can either eat the cutlery or dispose of it, knowing that it will decompose within two weeks, unlike traditional plastic counterparts that take years to break down. Priced between 5 to 25 INR, Attaware is also kid-friendly and suitable for both hot and cold servings, making it a versatile and practical choice for various occasions. With Attaware already making waves in Delhi and planning to expand across 86 cities in India and 89 countries worldwide, Puneet’s innovative venture offers a promising and delicious solution to tackle the menace of single-use plastic cutlery. Next time you host a party or grab a quick meal on-the-go, choose Attaware edible cutlery and contribute to a greener, cleaner planet for generations to come.

7 Aug 2023
Good News

Millions of Girls to Benefit From Government’s Scheme of Providing Sanitary Napkins at Just One Rupee

As per reports,  around 28 million girls discontinue their education due to lack of availability of good quality Sanitary Napkin pads at a reasonable cost. To resolve this issue, the government will fulfil its poll promise of making sanitary napkins available throughout the country at just one rupee. Bio-Degradable Sanitary Napkin In 2018, the government had introduced the ‘Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin’ costing Rs 2.50 per pad. Now, to increase its affordability, the price has been further lowered to Re 1. The pads are made with a special additive, which when discarded, becomes biodegradable on coming in contact with oxygen. The pads will be available at 5,500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country.  Mobile App The government has also set up Kendras, under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme to provide affordable healthcare to all Indians and give them access to cheap generic drugs. To facilitate this, a mobile app has also been launched that help people to locate nearby kendras, search available generic medicines, compare rates among many other uses. This app will be available on both Android & iOS platforms. These affordable initiatives of the government will certainly help to improve the well being of women to a great extent. Image Source: Daily Excelsior

28 Aug 2019
Good News

Global News

McDonald's Introduces 100% Biodegradable Packaging

Arcos Dorados Holdings, an independent McDonald's franchisee, is attempting to phase out plastics, PFAS chemicals, and consumer waste in the fast food industry by adding J&J Green Paper's "all-natural" barrier coating to its paper food packaging. J&J Green Paper's JANUS coating is said to be 100% biodegradable, recyclable, home-compostable, and resistant to oil, water, and oxygen. It aims to avoid the negative effects of single-use plastics and PFAS chemicals on human health and the environment and replace the conventional polyethylene covering made from petroleum. Fast-food establishments will use the coating on their wrap paper, cartons, cups, cutlery, K-cups, straws, and other food packaging. In the main hamburger bags and wrappers, the change has already started. “By taking action together, no matter how small it may seem, we can achieve a great impact and a sustainable future,” Arcos Dorados stated in its press release. “Every little action contributes.“ That’s why Arcos Dorados Argentina, the largest McDonald’s franchise in the world and which operates the brand in Argentina, began to implement a change in the primary bags and wrappers of hamburgers. The company incorporates the 100% renewably sourced JANUS compound that is biodegradable, compostable, and suitable for recycling. Rick Bulman, CEO of J&J Green Paper, continued: “We are pleased to take a leadership role in introducing JANUS technology into the global food and beverage industry with Arcos Dorados and Mc Papers. We see the incorporation of viable green technologies like JANUS into that ecosystem as a pivotal step towards our shared vision of a healthy, sustainable future devoid of toxic materials. “JANUS technology is the foundation of an emerging ecosystem in the food and beverage industry that replaces petroleum-based materials, plastic, and chemicals, with eco-friendly, non-toxic alternatives, to eliminate hazards and improve our quality of life." (Source: Google Images)  Almost everyday, we come across the disastrous impact of nanoplastics on human health. The JANUS approach combats the hazards of plastic in paper and food packaging right away by using waste that would otherwise be discarded. Kemira and PA Consulting unveiled a sustainable barrier coating material based on polysaccharide chains earlier this year. It is said to be compatible with the current supply chain infrastructure and designed for flexible food packaging, to satisfy the growing demand for environmentally friendly packaging options. Going green is becoming more and more necessary for businesses in the current business environment; it is no longer just a fad. This perspective can have a lot of unintended benefits, even while many businesses are implementing eco-friendly strategies to meet their social obligations. Since then, Berry Global's thermoformed tubes, jars, and bottles have been coated with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company's MXD6 barrier coating. It is believed that the reusable, EVOH-free barrier resin will increase the shelf life of food items and solve the deterioration, contamination, and other problems related to EVOH's recyclability and reprocessing. Additionally, Archroma has introduced a water-based barrier coating free of PFAS. When applied on flexible paper packaging and folding box boards for food or non-food items, it is recyclable, repellent, and oil and grease-resistant. Going green benefits the environment as well as businesses. Businesses can realize their full potential, lessen their influence on the environment, and provide the foundation for a sustainable future by implementing eco-friendly practices. Environmental responsibility is becoming more and more important to all stakeholders, and long-term business success requires incorporating sustainability into operations.

27 Jun 2024
Global News

Star Citizens

Zerocircle Has a Unique Way of Combating Plastic Pollution- With Seaweed!

In an era where convenience often outweighs environmental consciousness, the planet faces an ever-growing threat: plastic pollution. The dangers of plastic have become increasingly evident, with its persistence in our oceans, landfills, and even our bodies. Yet, amidst this crisis, there are individuals like Neha Jain who refuse to stand idly by. Neha Jain, a visionary driven by her passion for environmental sustainability, embarked on a remarkable journey to combat the menace of plastic pollution. Her story is not just about awareness but about action, driven by her education, career, and unwavering commitment to making a difference. With a degree from Christ College in Bengaluru, Neha Jain entered the corporate world, initially pursuing a career that seemed distant from her true calling. However, it was during her tenure in a multinational corporation that she witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of plastic on the environment. Mountains of plastic waste, choking water bodies, and the alarming decline of marine life ignited a fire within her. Driven by a newfound purpose, Neha Jain decided to take matters into her own hands. Leaving behind the comfort of her corporate job, she ventured into the realm of sustainability, determined to be a catalyst for change. Her journey was not without challenges, but her unwavering resolve fueled her ambition to seek innovative solutions to the plastic crisis. One of Neha's groundbreaking initiatives was her exploration into alternative materials that could replace traditional plastic. Amidst her research, she stumbled upon the transformative potential of seaweed. Unlike conventional plastics derived from fossil fuels, seaweed-based plastics offer a sustainable and biodegradable alternative. Seaweed, a renewable resource abundant in our oceans, has garnered attention for its versatility and eco-friendly properties. Neha Jain recognized the immense potential of seaweed as a viable solution to the plastic crisis. Through meticulous experimentation and collaboration with experts in the field, she pioneered the development of seaweed-based plastics, offering hope in the fight against plastic pollution. She established a startup and currently leads Zerocircle, a company that specializes in creating biodegradable packaging from seaweed. Zerocircle recently made headlines for winning the prestigious Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize. Her efforts did not go unnoticed. Neha Jain's groundbreaking work in sustainability earned her recognition and awards. However, for Neha, the true reward lay in knowing that her work was making a tangible difference in safeguarding the planet for future generations. The journey from corporate executive to sustainability advocate was not merely a career transition for Neha Jain; it was a profound personal transformation. It showcases the power of passion and purpose in driving meaningful change. As Neha continues to champion the cause of environmental sustainability, her story serves as an inspiration to countless individuals around the world. It reminds us that each one of us has the power to effect change, no matter how daunting the challenge may seem. Neha’s journey inspires us to forge a path towards a more sustainable future—one where plastic pollution is but a distant memory, and the health of our planet is preserved for generations to come.

1 Mar 2024
Star Citizens

From Farm to Foam: Indian Startup Transforms Rice Crop Waste Into Biodegradable Packaging

An Indian startup is tackling the issue of waste from rice crops by using it to create biodegradable foam packaging. The Delhi-based engineer, Mr. Arpit Dhupar with his enterprise, Dharaksha Ecosystems, has designed a replacement for polystyrene packaging out of “rice stubble” the dead stalks left over after the rice season in India, millions of tons of which are burned every year. In his factory, he turns 250 metric tons of rice stubble harvested from 100 acres of farmland in Punjab and Haryana into packaging, while paying the farmers a rate of $30 per acre for something they would usually burn. The process involves taking rice crop waste and mixing it with mushrooms, which break down the lignin in the rice husks and convert them into a biodegradable foam. The resulting material is strong, lightweight, and can be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes, making it ideal for packaging applications. The biodegradable foam packaging created by Dharaksha Ecosystems is a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional foam packaging materials, which are made from non-biodegradable materials and can take hundreds of years to decompose. As the world continues to grapple with the urgent need to address environmental issues, initiatives like Dharaksha offer hope for a more sustainable future, inspiring us to think creatively and work together towards a more sustainable world.

29 Mar 2023
Star Citizens

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