Ditch plastic, go the green way

Recently, a whale died in Thailand after swallowing plastic bags weighing eight kilograms. Every year, the usage of non-biodegradable products like plastic and glass is increasing, causing a serious threat to the environment. To counter this, many organisations are coming up with eco-friendly alternatives to such products. Though they are available in plenty in the market there is a general tendency among the public to overlook them. This World Environment Day, Metrolife puts together a few eco-friendly product options that you can turn to for a greener life.

Fabrics
Many designers are walking on the green path and using natural fibres like banana, cactus and muslin for their outfits. The use of natural dyes made of turmeric and holy basil is also on the rise. City-based designer Runa Ray is one such designer who believes in eco-friendly and sustainable fashion.
Price: Rs 2,000 onwards

Footwear

Take your pick from the stylish range of eco-friendly espadrilles or the classic ‘Osho chappals’. Made from jute and bamboo, these footwears are unisex and great for summer. Go on a shopping spree on Commercial Street or any of the roadside shoe seller and pick up these for an affordable price. The espadrilles are also available on sweetcouch.com and amazon.in
Price: Rs 399 onwards

Cutlery

Ditch that plastic cutlery and reach out for the eco-friendly ones. You can choose from a range of paper straws and cups, plates and bowls made of areca leaf and spoons made of natural wood. ‘PAPPCO’ is one such startup that uses sugarcane, bamboo and wheat straw to manufacture cutlery. Available on bigbasket.com, amazon.in and ecoware.in
Price: Rs 145 onwards

Cosmetics

The cosmetic industry is not far behind when it comes to eco-friendly products. Brands like ‘Forest Essentials’, ‘Body Shop’ and ‘Aroma Magic’ are striving to make their cosmetic range organic and environment-friendly.
Price: Rs 195 onwards

Sanitary napkins

Carmesi, Sakhi and Saathi are a few bio-degradable sanitary napkins available online that works just as well as their non-compostable counterparts. Available on amazon.in, purplle.com and saathipads.com
Price: Rs 70 onwards