So you have been thinking of having a party at your home and buying those plastic plates? Or maybe the prettier Thermocol plates in vibrant colours? Apart from their bad effect on the environment, consider the health risks that come with these choices. Solution: Leaves! (Areca plates)
And here’s a company that makes them from Areca (betel nut) tree leaves. The brainchild of Devakumar Narayanan, an engineer by profession, and his wife Saranya, Papla tableware are made of areca leaf sheaths.
A leaf from old traditions
Areca leaves, along with a few other leaves like banana, sal, and banyan were used to make plates and bowls in ancient India. In all parts of the country, different communities have their natural option to eat in, called Patravali, Vistaraku, Paat and more.
In many areas, they are still used in functions like marriages and other large ceremonies, reducing costs. While foreign countries are often seen appropriating these age-old inventions, Papla is reclaiming our heritage. Being eco-friendly and health-conscious is our culture, and they are letting everyone know about it. They make plates, bowls, spoons, and a variety of tableware in different shapes and sizes, combining modern wants and traditional practices. Papla also makes soap boxes or dishes so that plastic soap dishes can be avoided. They also make grow bags that are biodegradeable and even wedding invites on these leaves!
“The leaves are locally sourced from plantations in Kasargod and neighbouring Karnataka. These are collected and stocked at our warehouse,” says Devakumar who set up the company in 2018. This step benefits the local farmers tremendously, as, in addition to their sale of the areca nuts, the leaves increase their profits.
Papla has a current production capacity of 2000 pieces per day. But Devakumar informs that very soon capacity will be expanded to 10,000 pieces per day.
A plateful of opportunities
Papla does not take environmentally positive actions lightly. The couple have gone as far as to create identity cards for the people at Kasargod International Film Festival, 2020. “Plastic has seeped into our daily lives in such a way that even the thought of anything other than that to make something like an ID card was impossible, however, thoughts are turned into actions without fail at Papla and they created a no-plastic one.
Due to the strong yet transformable nature of areca leaves, Papla also makes food containers with these leaves. The leaves are waterproof, durable, and of course, does not increase non-recyclable waste. During the first lockdown in 2020, Papla turned to craft: upcycling things ranging from shoes to coconut shells, they used their devices to put their creativity to work for 21 days continuously as a challenge and produced excellent results.
Benefits of Areca plates:
- No trees are cut in the process since these are just leaves that are shed anyways.
- No chemicals are used in making these plates, nor they are dyed. It is all-natural.
- They can be carried anywhere easily; we assure you that those convenient plastic plates won’t be missed at all.
- They are more durable and sturdier compared to the available disposable dishes.
- They hold all kinds of foods without leaking anything.
- Unlike plastic plates, they do not alter the taste of hot food.
- They are microwave-friendly and can store food at any temperature.
- These biodegradable utensils can be composted and recycled.
- They are pocket-friendly!
With all the goodness that natural options can bring to your life and the Planet Earth, choose them willingly and make a change for the better.
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