Events in Secunderabad dump plastic cutlery, choose the green way

SECUNDERABAD: Over 1,500 people ate at an event this month at Sainikpuri, all with non-plastic cutlery. Courtesy: cutlery banks that cater to this side of town and helping residents reduce their carbon footprint. Events like the one in Sainikpuri are becoming more common, says Phani Bala Annadanam, whose cutlery was used at the event. Started about six months ago, Annadanam’s Sita cutlery bank is now packed with orders.
The former IT professional says she started renting out steel sets after she tried organising a zero-waste event for her child’s birthday, but found few people who could meet the requirements. “I now have 125 sets which include a plate, bowl, spoon and cups for water and tea,” she says, adding she caters to all kinds of events.
Nidarshana Saikia Das who started The Bartan Company, with a four-member all women team, also stresses on a growing market for reusables. Though located in Nallagandla, her company is often called to supplement stock for larger events in the Secunderabad area. “With number of orders rising, we are planning to open up a branch in the area,” said Das. This would cut cost required to move huge volumes of cutlery, she said.
For those who still prefer disposables, but want to go green, smaller groups such as the NGO ‘Special Friends’ located in Kapra provide leaf-based plates. “Our team comprises of young persons with disabilities and women. We provide training to them in using machines to make green cutlery and provide them employment,” said founder Swathi Kureti.