Long before our Tamil Nadu Government launched the idea of banning take away plastic containers, a few of us were quite used to taking along our trusted stainless steel vessels from home, to pack food.
Long before our Tamil Nadu Government launched the idea of banning take away plastic containers, a few of us were quite used to taking along our trusted stainless steel vessels from home, to pack food.
However an impromptu lunch plan one day had us feasting at an iconic vegetarian eatery tucked away in one of the small lanes at Ram Nagar. After a delicious and wholesome meal ,a few of us wanted to carry some food back for our respective family members.
As usual I enquired about their choice of containers and was told that the food would be wrapped in foil packets or plastic boxes. While paying for our meal, we chanced upon the owner seated at the cash counter. While chatting with her I asked why they did not have eco friendly options to pack food.She asked me if such options were available and that if I could let her know about the availability, they would definitely give it a try.
This started me on a hunt for containers that were not only bio degradable but ones that were manufactured right here, in and around Coimbatore.After a few days of looking online, we found the Eco Green Unit which has it’s office at Saibaba Colony.
Since we needed containers for our home to send food gifts to friends or family (having done away with foil containers) we decided to pay them a visit after getting a prior appointment.The place is modest comprising of a large room with a shelf displaying all their products on offer. The staff are friendly and precise with giving the information pertaining to the relevant questions.
The small office in the corner is where one of the co-founders sits and manages the day to day operations.C.Murali Krishnan who is the business development head started this venture more than 20 years ago along with his friend S.K.Basu who is the project director.
A trip to the holy Thiruvanamali is where they came across different kinds of cutlery made from Palmyra fibre. After many years of R&D not to mention a great deal of time and money invested, the Eco green Unit is now a highly successful venture which can offer structured business models for others wanting to enter this field.
They have now formed an understanding with a section of palm and areca nut growers as well as the farmhands who have been taught the nuances in collection of the fallen palm fronds as well as preparing them for being manufactured into bio-degradable utensils.As a result the Eco green unit has been able to provide a sustainable source of income to families depending on agriculture for their livelihood.
With growing awareness about the need to save the planet the Eco green unit is now supplying to cities all around the country as well as to buyers in Europe.This is why they are not able to supply in bulk to the local supermarkets.As an individual buyer however we can buy the products directly from their office at 8th cross,Saibaba colony.
The take away containers come in 4 sizes starting from Rs.7 per piece to Rs.10 per piece for the largest size. Restaurateurs may argue that it isn’t cost effective but as customers we are all well aware that every restaurant also has a packaging charge for the container.
We can talk of the economies of trade but how many of us realise that soon money will not be the problem when the planet suffers due to being on the brink of toxic pollution.All of that money we end up saving on containers will have to go towards funding specialty hospitals or for expensive treatments because it sure as hell will not buy us clean air !
The founders of the Eco green unit have also developed the machinery required to make all of the Palmyra leaf products. They also have a policy where they are willing to take back any product which may have fungus or rot due to moisture, but only if it is returned within 48 hours of purchase.
We as global consumers which support the food industry must bear the responsibility of how our actions are threatening the well being of our environment. It’s a shame that we need rules and regulations thrust upon us to do what is right for our own welfare.
Start now, set an example. Carry a small tiffin from home, if that’s not possible, pay the few rupees extra for an eco container.The outcome of each of our actions is what will impact the lives of future generations. Their quality of survival depends entirely on our actions. Don’t we owe them at least that much ?
However an impromptu lunch plan one day had us feasting at an iconic vegetarian eatery tucked away in one of the small lanes at Ram Nagar. After a delicious and wholesome meal ,a few of us wanted to carry some food back for our respective family members.
As usual I enquired about their choice of containers and was told that the food would be wrapped in foil packets or plastic boxes. While paying for our meal, we chanced upon the owner seated at the cash counter. While chatting with her I asked why they did not have eco friendly options to pack food.She asked me if such options were available and that if I could let her know about the availability, they would definitely give it a try.
This started me on a hunt for containers that were not only bio degradable but ones that were manufactured right here, in and around Coimbatore.After a few days of looking online, we found the Eco Green Unit which has it’s office at Saibaba Colony.
Since we needed containers for our home to send food gifts to friends or family (having done away with foil containers) we decided to pay them a visit after getting a prior appointment.The place is modest comprising of a large room with a shelf displaying all their products on offer. The staff are friendly and precise with giving the information pertaining to the relevant questions.
The small office in the corner is where one of the co-founders sits and manages the day to day operations.C.Murali Krishnan who is the business development head started this venture more than 20 years ago along with his friend S.K.Basu who is the project director.
A trip to the holy Thiruvanamali is where they came across different kinds of cutlery made from Palmyra fibre. After many years of R&D not to mention a great deal of time and money invested, the Eco green Unit is now a highly successful venture which can offer structured business models for others wanting to enter this field.
They have now formed an understanding with a section of palm and areca nut growers as well as the farmhands who have been taught the nuances in collection of the fallen palm fronds as well as preparing them for being manufactured into bio-degradable utensils.As a result the Eco green unit has been able to provide a sustainable source of income to families depending on agriculture for their livelihood.
With growing awareness about the need to save the planet the Eco green unit is now supplying to cities all around the country as well as to buyers in Europe.This is why they are not able to supply in bulk to the local supermarkets.As an individual buyer however we can buy the products directly from their office at 8th cross,Saibaba colony.
The take away containers come in 4 sizes starting from Rs.7 per piece to Rs.10 per piece for the largest size. Restaurateurs may argue that it isn’t cost effective but as customers we are all well aware that every restaurant also has a packaging charge for the container.
We can talk of the economies of trade but how many of us realise that soon money will not be the problem when the planet suffers due to being on the brink of toxic pollution.All of that money we end up saving on containers will have to go towards funding specialty hospitals or for expensive treatments because it sure as hell will not buy us clean air !
The founders of the Eco green unit have also developed the machinery required to make all of the Palmyra leaf products. They also have a policy where they are willing to take back any product which may have fungus or rot due to moisture, but only if it is returned within 48 hours of purchase.
We as global consumers which support the food industry must bear the responsibility of how our actions are threatening the well being of our environment. It’s a shame that we need rules and regulations thrust upon us to do what is right for our own welfare.
Start now, set an example. Carry a small tiffin from home, if that’s not possible, pay the few rupees extra for an eco container.The outcome of each of our actions is what will impact the lives of future generations. Their quality of survival depends entirely on our actions. Don’t we owe them at least that much ?