Problems created by a plastic straw

The major component of the plastic straw is Polypropylene, which degrades very slowly in nature. Thus the plastic waste is a growing menace, which is responsible for overflowing landfills, choking rivers and plastic waste is also a big threat to the marine ecosystem. The toxic non-biodegradable components of plastic are causing air, water, and soil pollution to a large extent (Team Prakati, 2020). This is why governments of different countries are banning plastic straws to lower the rate of pollution, caused by plastics.

Inventing coconut leaf straw

Plastic straws can be categorized as a single used plastic, thus it ends up damaging the marine ecosystem and in landfills.

To eradicate this problem, professor Saji Varghese of Christ University, Bangalore has come up with a solution (Team Prakati, 2020). He has invented straws, made up of coconut leaves. This coconut leaves straw can be an ecofriendly alternative to the plastic straw and the coconut leaves are easily available in our country. The professor has made it with the help of fallen leaves (Zachariah, 2020). “When I first wanted to make the straw, I started by steaming the leaves to clean them and that’s when I noticed the natural wax from these leaves was coming out on its own. We can use this natural wax to make the straws anti-fungal and hydrophobic (water repellant),” explained by the professor.

 

 

Description of the product

The newly invented coconut leaf straws are tested with all kinds of beverages, such as water, sodas, shakes and even it can be used to have bubble tea. The straws are 4-7 inches in length, which is making the straws ideal to be used in hotels and restaurants.

The shelf life of these straws is up to six months (Zachariah, 2020).

The professor has mentioned that the coconut leaves go through a three-step cleaning process followed by scraping and rolling and all this is done with the help of-house machinery for making the straw hygienic.

 

“Besides this, we use a food-grade adhesive for glue, making it free of chemicals”, explained by Saji.

Present demands of the product

The straws have already received 20million orders. Professor Saji has mentioned that the fallen coconut leaves are being discarded in several regions of our country. By making straws from these leaves, it can prevent the burning of coconut leaves. The processing of the straws is also providing employment to women in the rural regions of the community, thus playing a major ro0le in women empowerment. All of this is making the worth of the straws Rs 3. This is making a positive impact to revive the economy of the country, as well as the environment during the Covid19 pandemic. After this invention, professor Saji has received Sreshtha Udyami Guru Puraskar 2020, from EDII and ranked the first position in the startup Launchpad in New Delhi.

 

References

Team Prakati. (2020, July 20). Prof. Saji Varghese creates Straws from Coconut leaves. Retrieved from Prakati: https://www.prakati.in/prof-saji-varghese-creates-straws-from-coconut-leaves/

Zachariah, S. S. (2020, July 9). Professor Makes Straws From Coconut Leaves, Bags Global Orders Worth Rs 6 Crore. Retrieved from The Better India: https://www.thebetterindia.com/232281/bengaluru-innovation-earns-crores-coconut-leaf-straw-plastic-alternative-sustainable-buy-online-inspiring-india-ser106/