Coimbatore: A decade back, theme "Save Water" was regarded to be the most popular project line for school children. Right from a small piece of drawing with a water droplet to a wide spread ocean in a dried-up state, the slogan "Save water" certainly injected the very purpose of water and its significance in every child's heart. Competing this all-time slogan, there is yet another fast and furious slogan gaining momentum among citizens especially among school-going kids. And, that's "Say No to Plastics"!
Coimbatore: A decade back, "Save Water" was regarded to be the most popular project line for school children. Right from a small piece of drawing with a water droplet to a wide spread ocean in a dried-up state, the slogan "Save water" certainly injected the very purpose of water and its significance in every child's heart. Competing this all-time slogan, there is yet another fast and furious slogan gaining momentum among citizens especially among school-going kids. And, that's "Say No to Plastics"!
Though there is no conclusive scientific reports that 'all' plastic food containers transmit carcinogenic particles into human body, somehow the thought that plastic goods cause cancer is ingrained in people's mind.
However, it's true that improper use of plastic containers against the manufacturer's direction can cause adverse effects. Hence, identifying standardized and sub-standard plastic food carrier is a huge challenge for the people.
Especially parents are among the lot looking out for eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives for packing lunch and water for their school-going children.
"Compared to previous years, parents are disinterested in buying colorful plastic lunch boxes and water cans.The awareness among parents on the ill-effects of plastic goods has made them opt for alternatives like steel and copper. Hence, the demand for stainless steel lunch boxes and water cans are peaking up, this school season", expressed Manoj Chajjed, proprietor of Ridhi Marketing, a store dealing with school needs.
“There is an age gap of 6 years between my two kids, and when my first kid started schooling, I don’t remember rushing to any store for buying a water bottle or a tiffin box, whatever Tupperware boxes I had I would pack the lunch in it. But now the trend is different. My second son is very keen on taking only Avengers, bottle and complimenting Lunchbox, otherwise, he refuses to eat in it. Thanks to the shops, who now have such umpteen choices. Theme based boxes and bottles coated on steel base is what I brought this school season", opined Sangeeta Kumar, a parent.
Understanding the likability and obsession of kids over favorite star emblems on tiffin boxes and bottles, "Insulated steel tiffin boxes and bottles with superhero prints are more in stock. Stylish kid-friendly water bottles in copper and steel are trending this school season. Plastic bottles and lunch boxes are sidelined", Mr. Manoj noted.
Though not many, a handful of educational institutions also do insist parents to avoid lunch and water cans made of plastic.
"Practice what you preach' is what we believe in. At KSIR’s we are uncompromising about the kind of lunch box and bottle should carry. More than teaching them on the hazards of plastic, implementing the 'change' is what matters. Unaware of the food grade quality plastic, parents pack snacks, lunch and water in plastic containers made of sub standard grade, which is highly unhealthy. Hence, we have made it mandatory for parents to pack lunches only in steel lunch boxes and steel bottles", stated Lalitha Prakash, Principal of Ksir's School.
With the increasing awareness on hazards of using plastic food containers, the decision of schools and parents to choose eco-friendly options is truly a sign of change.