IIT to make biodegradable cups, plates from paddy straw, stubble

Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) have devised a method for developing small tea cups and plates from the paddy straw or stubble. However, the product still awaits large scale commercial production.

These biodegradable cups and plates are cheaper than their plastic counterparts and are seen as their alternative, said experts, adding that plastic cups and plates are also carcinogenic that are cause of various types of cancer in humans and animals.

"Regular paper cups are also not hundred per cent degradable leave apart the question of plastic cups. Regular paper cups also have some plastic coating in them. But our cups are completely biodegradable," said Neetu Singh, Assistant Professor, Centre for Biome producing these eco-friendly cups.

The rice straw or stubble is first treated with a chemical and undergoes through an optimisation process to get converted into pulp.  The pulp is dried and mould into various shapes (cups, plates etc) with the help of machines. A kilogram of pulp 2018" will be the waterless bathing, Naso filters, Virtual Reality (VR) walkthrough,  advanced sensor  2018" will be the waterless bathing, Naso filters, Virtual Reality (VR) walkthrough,  advanced sensor based prosthetic limb (local made low cost prosthetic limb) and others.