GUWAHATI: In a bid curb the use of single use plastic, Sunam Taran, a resident of Assam’s Barpeta district has come up with a unique initiative to replace plastic straws by jute straws.
Firstly, the hollow stems of jute are collected, which are washed and then cut and are later dried. These straws do not contain any chemicals or preservatives and can be reused multiple times at home.
“Though there are other alternatives to plastic straws like paper straws and wood straws, but due to an uncompetitive pricing the market circulation of these products is less”, said Taran while talking to G Plus.
“When plastic straws decompose they release toxins which are harmful to the environment. We are introducing jute straw at a competitive price to plastic straws so that small restaurants can also opt for this organic way” he added.
Taran was inspired from a Vietnamese man who firstly introduced this technique to the world. He made straws using a certain type of grass named ‘Lepironia articulata’ that is prolific around the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
Each year, there is a staggering 8 million tons of plastic finding its way into our oceans. Among these are the plastic straws that are used daily.
“Little steps like this can make a lot of difference in this world”, said Taran.