How to party mindfully in the plastic age.

◊ By SAAPH

APPROACH a Bartan Bank near you for steel crockery. There are many operating in Delhi NCR now, and perhaps in your city as well. Most of these bartan banks lease out crockery for the day free of cost or for a nominal handling fee, with a small refundable sum as security.

FOOD and drinks should be served in reusable utensils.

INFORM your helpers about the extra washing they would need to do (in the absence of disposables) beforehand and fix a stipulated fair amount to be paid for their services.

JUNK printed cards. Send e-invites instead.

ARRANGE for eco-friendly return gifts such as saplings in cow dung pots. Boycott plastic wrappings.

USE eco-friendly decorations made of biodegradable plant-derived material.

ENCOURAGE washable and reusable cloth napkins rather than dioxins-laden paper napkins.

ENSURE waste segregation onsite for proper waste disposal.

SAAPH (Sustainable Alternatives Awareness Against Plastic & Household Waste) is a citizens’ awareness initiative by concerned residents of Arun Vihar, Noida.