Several end-of-life options envisioned for wheat bran tableware

In India, researchers at the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) at Pappanamcode have developed biodegradable tableware from wheat bran that could have several routes to ensure circularity. 

End of life for the cups and plates could either be in a consumer’s stomach or that of an animal. “To make the product more attractive for the market, it is also possible to incorporate natural immunity boosters, nutritional supplements and organic edible flavors,” NIIST tells The Hindu. Alternatively, discarded items could be used as feed for cattle, poultry or fish or as manure. 

Kochi-based Aura Exim has been given the process specs to begin production of the cups and plates as soon as possible, given that the populous country is ground zero for the plastics waste crisis.