"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
29 Mar 2023
An Indian startup is tackling the issue of waste from rice crops by using it to create biodegradable foam packaging.
The Delhi-based engineer, Mr. Arpit Dhupar with his enterprise, Dharaksha Ecosystems, has designed a replacement for polystyrene packaging out of “rice stubble” the dead stalks left over after the rice season in India, millions of tons of which are burned every year.
In his factory, he turns 250 metric tons of rice stubble harvested from 100 acres of farmland in Punjab and Haryana into packaging, while paying the farmers a rate of $30 per acre for something they would usually burn.
The process involves taking rice crop waste and mixing it with mushrooms, which break down the lignin in the rice husks and convert them into a biodegradable foam. The resulting material is strong, lightweight, and can be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes, making it ideal for packaging applications.
The biodegradable foam packaging created by Dharaksha Ecosystems is a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional foam packaging materials, which are made from non-biodegradable materials and can take hundreds of years to decompose.
As the world continues to grapple with the urgent need to address environmental issues, initiatives like Dharaksha offer hope for a more sustainable future, inspiring us to think creatively and work together towards a more sustainable world.
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