Minimizing our impact on the planet gets easier when we opt for simple, long forgotten, old-school practices. Steel straws and bamboo toothbrushes are some of the more popular solutions today, but let’s think beyond those for a moment!
India is a shining example of a culture that has – over centuries – developed optimal eco-practices for everyday life. Here is a list of traditional eco-friendly solutions unique to India that all conscious individuals and businesses can use for creative inspiration!
1. Disposable banana leaves as plates
There’s nothing like eating a colourful, whole foods, plant-based meal on a banana leaf! It’s like the perfect plate provided to us by nature herself. Not just in South India, but also in many parts of South East Asia, eating on a banana leaf is a common practice, especially during festivals, weddings, and other special occasions.
Besides, they do add a special flavour and aroma to the food! For that very reason, it’s not uncommon at all to see rice-based desserts being wrapped and steamed in banana leaves.
2. Sal Leaf plates / aka ‘Thonnai’
The leaves of the Sal tree, a North Indian tree that yields hard, durable timber and dammar resin, are used to make these super cute, natural plates! The leaves are first selected, and then picked from the trees, cleaned, and dried in the sun. They are then stitched with tiny wooden sticks and made into plates.
Traditionally known to have antimicrobial properties, these plates are now becoming popular in unexpected places around the world!
3. Clay cups / aka ‘Kulhars’ or ‘Shikora’
These tiny, handcrafted clay cups or pots are environmentally-friendly items that have become lesser-known ever since cheap plastic cups became more accessible. Drinking beverages, especially Chai, in these clay cups, has been one of India’s long standing traditions. The larger clay pots, also known as Matka, are great at keeping water cool! This traditional, earthen vessel is estimated to have been around for over 5,000 years.
4. Newspaper cones / aka ‘Thonga’
These newspaper cones are quintessentially Indian! You’ll find street sellers and beach stalls serving freshly toasted peanuts, popcorn, or the popular jhaal muri (a spicy mixture of puffed rice), in these simple paper cones – a great idea for a snack stall at a vegan market!
5. Jute bags / aka ‘Thelas’
Jute is a long, shiny bast fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. Reusable jute bags are largely used for grocery shopping, but now you get all sorts of pouches, wallets, sling bags, even footwear made of jute. In fact, since these bags are so strong and durable, enormous jute sacks are also used by many businesses to transport their large goods – a way better alternative to plastic if you ask us!
6. Khus blinds instead of air conditioning
Khus is a perennial grass commonly known as Vetiver in English. This material works wonders as a natural coolant. Blinds made from this material are fairly common in India even today. Here’s the trick: If you splash or spray some water on it on a hot day, the air that gets filtered through keeps the room cool and even aromatic with its woody and earthy notes. How’s that for a wonderfully natural AC!
India has so many other traditional eco-friendly solutions! Our grandparents taught us to use natural herbs to make chemical-free face washes and hair cleansers. We learnt that we could save water with bucket baths instead of showers. We often use natural loofahs (bath scrubs) from the fiber of dried gourds or coconut coir instead of the polluting, synthetic ones. We have limitless family recipes that revolve around local grains and seasonal produce. The list can go on and on.
That being said, in no way does any of this negate the environmental concerns the country still faces. With rapid urbanization, many Indians are forgetting the traditional eco-friendly practices that are at the roots of their own culture. This is the time to come together as one big global family to learn from one another, and draw knowledge from both ancient wisdom and scientific facts.
Had you heard of any of these traditional eco-friendly solutions? Let us know your thoughts and ideas in the comments.
Related articles:
– 5 Unique Eco-Practices Adopted By This Vegan Community
– 5 Things you can do at Home for World Environment Day 2022
– 10 Steps Towards An Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
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