Packed and disposed

This is regarding the column "Plastic, the hungry caterpillar" (1-15 August, 2017) by Rakesh Kalshian. The need of the hour is to devise a plan for the manufacturers of fast moving consumer goods to take back the non-biodegradable packaging of their products. Besides waste segregation at source, we need to incentivise the use of leaves like palasha (Butea monosperma) and siali (Bauhinia vahlii). Disposable tableware can be made from areceanut leaves and bagasse can be used for packing food. Earlier, asafoetida and curd were sold in stitched Butea monosperma leaves, and leftover thali leaves from restaurants were fed to cows.

C V KRISHNA MANOJ VIA EMAIL

It was shocking to know that at least 80 per cent of Americans have ingested plastics that are measurably present within their bodies, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, US. Indian consumers and manufacturers should note and reduce the consumption of plastic.

BHARATH KUMAR VIA EMAIL