BHARATI PAWASKAR
In today’s world where plastic has invaded every corner of our lives, what if better options are available, which could be eco-friendly, bio-degradable, natural and healthy? Two friends, Kedar Vaze and Mahesh Gawade, have invested their energies to do exactly the same. The duo, both of whom come from financial sector, worked on the concept for a few months before zeroing in on a venture to make plates by compressing areca nut leaves. In April this year they kick-started their joint venture at Goa-Karnataka border, Dodamarg and are happy that they are contributing to the environment by creating something truly useful out of sheer waste.
“Our concept of serving ‘prasad’ on a natural plate, compressed out of a thick dry leaf during Ganesh Chaturthi festival has become an instant hit. As of now, we have sold 10,000 patravalis (leaf plates) and 3000 dronas (bowls) and are short of stock. We found market in Mumbai and Goa. Our core goal is not to earn profit, but to help conserve the environment,” says Kedar, a tax consultant handling three businesses. A partner at Tally Software, he runs a restaurant and has a franchisee of Sharekhan too. Mahesh, on the other hand, is a banker employed with J P Morgan India. Both are friends since college days.
“Our factory makes plates out of compressed leaves of areca nut palms that otherwise go waste. And one doesn’t have to cut any tree, just walk beneath them to collect the dried, fallen leaves on a daily basis or on alternate days and drop them at the factory where they are compressed into plates of various sizes,” shares Mahesh. The areca nut plates serve as natural gifts and better replacement for anti-environment material such as plastics, thermacol or polymer. He claims, “The plates are beautiful and sturdy. They can be reused three or four times if washed properly and dried. The plates can withstand hot, warm or cold any types of food items, unlike plastic or themacol which gives odour if hot items are served.”
“These plates will help reduce the usage of paper plates too which we all use in large quantities. As we know paper is made of wood pulp for which one has to cut trees. In a way paper cups or plates may be healthy to use but they lead to deforestation. With our ‘bio-plates’ people have a better choice now,” smiles Kedar who while looking out options for an eco-friendly business stumbled upon this interesting concept - of making bio-degradable plates from the sheath of areca nut leaves. He was aware that there are many horticultural plantations in places like Valpoi and Sattari where areca nut plants are planted in huge numbers. Why not tap these resources and collect raw material from these plantations, he thought and roped in his friend Mahesh who was too willing to join.
The duo joined hands for a greater cause - to offer something healthy and natural to the world. Their efforts will also bring some money into the pockets of farmers, especially horticulturists in Goa and neighbouring Karnataka and Maharashtra. “The farmers can earn some money by selling the fallen leaves to us which otherwise are of no use. The leaves are very sturdy so before feeding them to cattle or using them for composting, these have to be shredded into small pieces,” mentions Kedar.
He observes, “It is not the entire leaf that is used for making plates but the sheath attached to leaf that covers the fruits. Our raw material is sourced from various farms, cleaned and stocked. These sheaths are left in the sun to dry. We had to procure our machine from Coimbatore which has a capacity of producing 1500 plates per day. But we are short of raw material as of now. There is much effort involved in the making of these one-time use-and-throw plates but the end result is a very satisfying thing to do.”
The fallen leaves are procured from the farmers who collect them daily while they are clean and fresh. The leaves are not cut especially to make plates. The rule is simple - if we take care of nature, nature will take care of us. The sprinklers wet them, so some of the leaves go waste, others rot or catch fungus. There are multiple hurdles but beating them, the two are marching ahead. “We have some export orders, but for that we need to produce in bulk. As Goa has rains for more than four months, the leaves cannot be collected during this period. So are left with only eight dry months. It is a challenge but a positive one,” admits Kedar.
Mahesh points out that education and awareness is required so that people do not go for plastic or thermacol and use these eco-friendly options. “People don’t hesitate while spending on fire-crackers that pollute the atmosphere, but they are reluctant to spend on disposable plates. However, we are optimistic that things will change eventually.” He says. He is thankful that agriculturists like Shriang Jambhale (principal at Agriculture College in Savai-Verem) have offered to collect leaves free from their farm, provided some person is allotted for the job.
Buying such plates will help farmer to generate additional income. Due to financial crises farmer are not able to sustain and this will add to their income. “Next on our list is - plates and spoons that are edible. We are planning to go for manufacturing of wheat plates, spoons and straws that people can eat after the food. Also there are other ideal ideas too - of making bags from banana fibre,” concludes an optimistic Kedar.
