Biodegradable Cutlery and Tableware for the Eco-sensitive Foodie

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Author – Aditya Gupta

India is slowly becoming a country where people are turning health conscious. We are taking a lot of trouble to take care of ourselves. But how can we just watch our food and not what’s holding it? Usage of plastic cutlery and tableware has reached epic proportions, seriously harming the environment. Plastic usage in India has been growing at a massive rate of 10.5% CAGR over the last decade. Plastic items take roughly 500 years to decompose and till then, they languish in landfills, choke our drainage systems and finally seep into the ocean and kill wildlife.

Thankfully, biodegradable cutlery and tableware have emerged as a better alternative to plastics across the globe and Indians have been early adopters of these eco-friendly food packaging material. All kinds of plant biomass material such as bagasse, rice husk, coconut coir etc., are being utilized for producing eco-friendly cutlery, tableware and other food packaging products that are seeing a surge in usage in this decade. Let us take a look at the different types of biodegradable cutlery, tableware and food packaging products available in the Indian market currently:

Sugarcane Bagasse Bowls

Sugarcane bagasse products are the ones that have penetrated the Indian biodegradable tableware market the most and have much wider acceptance. Ecoware and Pappco are the pioneers in manufacturing these products at a large scale through multiple manufacturing units across the country. Bagasse bowls are made from of sugarcane biomass extracts and are heated at high temperatures to be given the desired shape. The actual products of sugarcane like powdered sugar, juice and rum are not affected as well because it’s only the waste that is taken into production. They decompose easily within 90 days as opposed to plastic that can take ~500 years.

The advantage with Bagasse products is that they can be molded into any shape and thus help in catering to customized large orders. These biodegradable wonders are now being adopted by various cafés, food chains and airport food outlets across the country. The 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi popularized these products for packaging food in the games village. Ecoware which catered to this huge need is now the market leader for these products in India. Bagasse bowls cost around INR2-10 per bowl/plate and are easily available online as well as in retail outlets across the country.

Areca Leaf Tableware

areca-leaf-plates-by-eco-palm-leaf At first glance, we might wonder how a plate made out of plain leaves could sturdily hold solid or liquid food. Surprisingly, various leaf-based biodegradable tableware is now available in the market, which ensures that no trees are cut in the process. The fallen dry sheaths from betelnut trees or areca palm leaves are cleaned and are heat pressed and cut into the required solid shapes. No chemicals are used in the entire process, which leaves a minimal carbon footprint.

Areca leaf plates are light-weight, elegant, easy to use and throw, which is suitable for all kinds of food and served at all kinds of temperatures. These plates look quite elegant and fancy on the outside and are pretty light on the purse. They are a good alternative to food caterers and party-throwers who are concerned about customer convenience and saving the environment at the same time. Eco Palm Leaf Plates, Verterra Dinnerware, The Magnus, Ecovision are some of the leading manufacturers in this segment. Areca leaf plates cost in the range of INR4-10.

Bio-lutions Agro-waste Fiber Technology

Bio-lutions Agro-waste Fiber

German technology-based Bio-lutions offers a unique sustainable packaging and disposable tableware solution made of agricultural residues. Biolutions collects agro-waste raw materials such as various kinds of rice straws, banana stems, sugarcane leaves, etc., and convert them into self-binding fibers through a mechanical process. These fibers are converted into a paste, which is then molded into food-grade containers and plates.

Biolutions utilizes its patented technology in which a mechanical process converts agri-waste directly into a paste, which makes it possible to use even the shortest fibers from any agricultural residue. Their raw materials do not have to go through an energy-intensive process of cellulose extraction or bleaching. This way, they avoid the excessive use of chemicals and water in pulp production processes, which is common to cellulose-based paper production.

Edible Cutlery

Eco-Friendly_Comapany_in_India_-edible-cutleryNarayana Peesapati and his wonderful venture Bakeys has been a game changer in the biodegradable cutlery market. The entire concept of eating the edible cutlery after the meal is innovative thinking, which has simply got rid of the worry of decomposing the product after use. Bakeys’ edible cutlery is made from different kinds of flours that are highly nutritious and do not cause harm to our body, unlike the cheap plastic cutlery.

They are baked at a high temperature and therefore have no moisture. What’s more? These edible spoons come in different flavors and make your dining experience healthy and tasty as well. You can eat it but if you wish to skip eating it, it also decomposes pretty quickly and acts as a great fertilizer. The biggest positive is that it is fairly cheap, which allows an average Indian household to think of using it regularly (~INR3 per spoon). However, Bakeys produces only spoons as of now, which is quite a limited offer.

Rice Husk Tableware

Rice husk is a surprisingly strong material that can withstand significant wear and tear and has a long life. Rice husk is one of the most durable forms of biodegradable tableware that can withstand temperatures of more than 100oC without getting damaged. This reusable tableware has a smooth glossy covering that is 100% natural and derived from the wax present in rice husks.

The entire manufacturing process results in a pure natural extract that is free of toxins and harmful by-products as well. However, rice husk cutlery are pretty expensive and are not economically viable for an average Indian household. They are currently being sold online on various websites such as Ecosave and cost in the range of INR600-800 per plate. These are strong, smooth, compact and reusable and could be a good substitute for daily usage storage like tiffin boxes, etc.

Bamboo Tableware


Biodegradable cutlery and tableware products made out of Bamboo were traditionally used in rural areas in India, but now they have arrived in the urban market. Pappco is the first Indian firm that looked into bamboo to create a new range of biodegradable bamboo cutlery that are much more robust and classier than plastics and decompose way faster than plastics (take ~6-12 months to biodegrade).

Another thing is Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that doesn’t put any pressure on the ecosystem because of the manufacturing of these products, unlike paper products. While these reusable products are sustainable to source and use, but they are expensive. A plate would cost around INR300 as of today. However, bamboo’s environmental benefits and product strength justify the cost.

Comparison table for various Biodegradable Cutlery & Tableware 

PlasticsAreca LeavesBagasse BowlsBambooEdible CutleryRice Husk
Decomposition time~500 years30-60 days<90 days90-180 days~30 days4-8 weeks
Environmental EffectsHazardous. Blocks seepages and pollutes water, kills wildlifeDecomposes into fertilizer as it is made of natural leavesDecomposes into fertilizer as it is made out of plant biomassCoverts into manure, fast tracks growth of sugarcaneDecomposes into fertilizer as it is made out of flourDecomposes into fertilizer
DisposalEasy but harmfulEasyEasyReusable, easy disposalEdible, easy disposalReusable, easy disposal
CostINR0.3/ unitINR4-10/ unitINR2-10/ unitINR300/ unitINR3/ unitINR500/ unit
ConvenienceHighHighHighHighHighHigh
AvailabilityOnline and retailOnline and retailOnline and retailPrimarily OnlinePrimarily OnlinePrimarily Online

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To know more about business opportunities in Biodegradable Tableware, 
please submit your contact details to access a project report – info@ecoideaz.com

65 COMMENTS

  1. Interested in setting up a facility for producing biodegradable Bags and cutlery in Uttarakhand India.

    • HI Umesh, thanks for your interest in setting up a business. we will soon be publishing a case study on bio-plastics

  2. Hi,
    I want to start it in Maharashtra(Kolhapur).Could you please guide me to setting up this business.

    • Hi Navin, please mail your contact details at info @ecoideaz.com so that we can mail you a detailed report

  3. Interested in setting up a facility for producing biodegradable Bags and cutlery in Maharashtra India.

    • Hi Lalit,
      Thanks for your interest. please send us more details on your preferred location, investment value, technical skills, etc to editor @ecoideaz.com

  4. Hi,

    I am interested in setting up manufacturing for biodegradable table wares and bags in eastern Uttar Pradesh

  5. Hi I am interested to buy biodegradable products and sell in my country, pls email me the products and cost.

  6. Dear Concerned,

    We are EXIM consultant and international market development firm. We wish to know details about starch products. Currently we are working with Sugarcane Bagasse items

  7. We are manufacturers of biodegradable tableware, made from plant fiber, sugarcane and bamboo. It is 100% biodegradable, compostable and sustainable. Any further requirements, please contact us

  8. Hi sir
    Hi wanted to start set up on Starch granule bag
    I just want to know the cost and other things for the set up.

  9. Hi Sir,

    Would be interested in starting a joint venture in Canada for compostable dinnerware and cutlery along with starch granules for compostable plastic bags.

    Please shed some light and advise how we can procced further in this matter.

    Looking forward to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

  10. Would be interested in setting up manufacturing unit of Eco-Friendly Biodegradable compostable products and would be interested in setting up in joint venture. anyone interested please let us know. or if there are any other area or interests in setting up of unit in Eco-Environment products we can have association.

  11. I am from Ludhiana wanna start small scale factory for substitute of one time use cutlery and help farmers not burn the stuble and rice husk is available

  12. Hey Levine,

    I want to start biodegradable disposable cutlery production in Indore , Madhya Pradesh. I need your guidance and your support. Can you please contact me over call or mail as i want to start the production as soon as possible.

  13. Hi, I am from Andhra Pradesh, I am interested to start making cutlery from bagasse, please suggest concerned machine manufacturers. if possible project report also, and how much it would cost the detailed project report.

    • Hi Prasad,
      Thanks for your interest in biodegradable cutlery manufacturing. Kindly check your mail for further details.

  14. Hello, Good Morning.
    Just went through your details and really appreciable and amazing details. Congratulations on your ideas.
    Going green is the future, health is the base of any person.
    Jaan hai to Jahan hai!
    I am into Automotive Industry from last 20 years but want to diversify my business.
    I am from Gurgaon and want to manufacture the Biodegradeable products such as One time cutleries or long term usage like Lunch Box, WAter Bottles, Kitchen Utensils etc.

    I wish to put the factory to manufacture these products. Please guide me.

    How many factories in India presently who are manufacturing Cutleries or these products?

    Thanks for your support in advance.

    • Thank you Gaurav for your interest in Biodegradable Cutlery .Please check your mail for more details.

  15. HELLO,
    I M GURMAN
    WHAT AN GREAT INFORMATION REGARDING BIO TABLEWARE, JUST WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THESE PRODUCTS , SO I CAN START MY BUSINESS . ALSO WANT TO KNOW THE PRODUCTION COST AND ALL THE BASIC STUFF . IF YOU HAVE LITTLE BIT TIME FOR ME , I WILL BE GRATEFULL .
    QUICK REPLY WILL BE REALLY APRECIATED
    REGARD ,
    GURMAN

  16. I would like to start the bio-degradable consumer products manufacturing.

    Please do share the information

  17. Hi guys,
    Great job on the information provided.

    Would like to get some detailed reports and further information like market demand and competition. I’m a manufacturer for automotive components and would like to expand the production to Eco-friendly products.

  18. I would like to start business in the bio-degradable consumer products manufacturing at interior area of gujarat near SOU area , pl.send information about it and how can I start it.

    • Hi,

      Yes we can help you out. Please let us know your contact details to take it forward.

      Regards,
      MB

  19. want to put up a unit making cutlery , craft paper, from rice husk/straw and sugar baggase in up on medium scale. we have 15 acres indl land in up and raw material
    of baggase, rice husk/straw ,wheat straw is available in plenty. if proper guidance
    in putting up a unit with selection of right machinery with future prospectus and scalable for future growth. look forwards to yr guidance .
    mkjain
    9810158390
    mkjain@chelseamills.com

  20. Hi, we need to discuss on biodegradable Cutllery we have a set up.in eastern UP.
    Please connect with us on our email id

  21. hello, kindly guide me to make these biodegradable cutlery . i have set up a unit at agra.

  22. hello can you please guide me about these bio-degradable cutlery business.
    i want to set up a unit in delhi.

  23. Dear Sir,
    We are interested in the sales of your products in Faridabad and nearby locations of Delhi NCR. Please let us know you your company’s T&C regarding appointment of a dealer in our area.
    Thanks & Regards
    Sudhir Kulshrestha
    Kreasion Global, Faridabad

    • Yes Sudhir, we help you to connect with manufacturers and sell their products in your area. mailed you the details

  24. Hello Ecoideaz,

    It is a great post and I would like to know more about Biodegradeable products.
    I would like to set up the manufacturing unit in Maharashtra (Nagpur), please help in the research.

  25. I WATCH SOME OF YOUR PRODUCT AND VERY MUCH INTEREST FOR A SET UP IN ODISHA. HOW CAN I GOT INFROMATIONA ABOUT YOUR PRODUCTS?

  26. Great to know about your involvement in biodegradable Table ware industry and I am planning to start factory here in Gujarat. Can you pl. guide us with the feasibility of this business in Gujarat, and also provide details about raw material availability, market potential and profitability calculation.
    I will be glad to know about other manufacturer in Gujarat and nearby.
    Once again thanks in advance for guiding me in this journey.

  27. Hello.
    My name is Amisha Savjani
    I would like to order some products from your website, could you tell me how do I place the order.

  28. Eximius Greenfield Pvt. Ltd. was incorporated in 2022 and we manufacture Bio-Degradable Tableware & Dinnerware Articles from Agro based Sugarcane Baggase Pulp. Our manufacturing facility is located at Rajkot near to the Ahmedabad National Highway, Gujarat, India. Mundra Sea Port is just 250 km from our factory.

  29. I am really interested in starting an eco friendly cutelry business. I am from Solomon Islands.

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