Tamil Nadu adopts traditional method! Uses Banana leaves instead of plastics plates for food

Coimbatore, July 20: Ban on Plastic is swaying high in every state. With Maharashtra initiating the move on the plastic ban, the state of Uttar Pradesh followed incorporating many other states on the similar No Plastic Mission.

In an interesting move with the Tamil Nadu Government announcing ban of disposable plastic products from 2019, a few roadside eateries in Coimbatore have become the precursors by saying no to plastic. These eateries have replaced polythene sheets with banana leaves, a costlier green alternative.

The street vendors in Coimbatore have replaced plastic plates with banana leaves after Tamil Nadu government announced a ban on “use and throwaway plastics” with effect from January 1, 2019. The street vendors in Coimbatore were made aware of the ill effects of serving food in plastic and use an alternative method to serve food. With this framework, many vendors adopted the use of serving food in Banana leaves.

While some had replaced the plastic polythene bags with banana leaves a month ago, the proprietors reveal that although banana leaf is costlier than the polythene sheet. It costs Re1 for a single piece that can be used for a small plate. Therefore the vendor decided to replace the polythene sheet after coming to know about the harmful side effects it can lead to when hot meals are served on it.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority officer for Coimbatore B. Vijayalalithambigai said that it has decided to conduct mass awareness programmes for roadside eateries, mobile eateries and small-scale restaurants that are using polythene sheet to serve food on plates.

She said, “Our aim is to create awareness among the vendors on the ill-effects of using the plastic sheet before the ban comes into effect”.

A unique initiative of replacing plastic bags with banana leaves has swayed its traditional layer in the state. Go traditional! The plastic ban in the state of Tamil Nadu has been sought to come into effect from January 2019. This awareness is a prior intimation focusing on highlighting the ill effects of plastic. Way to go Tamil Nadu!