ElRhino Eco-Industries Makes Paper from Elephant and Rhino Dung

2 Comments / By Sharayu Mishal

Exotic Poo Makes Exquisite Paper! Elrhino's Elephant and Rhino Dung Papers are Saving our Precious Trees

Yes, this is as intriguing as it sounds! The skillful workers at Elrhino eco-industries are converting elephant and rhino dung into aesthetic papers. Raising awareness for animal conservation has never been this fascinating!

Situated in Assam, this social enterprise is looked after by the father-daughter duo – Mahesh Chandra Bora and Nisha Bora. Since 2012, Elrhino is remarkably raising awareness for the conservation of elephants and the great one-horned rhinoceroses. Providing a source of income to the indigenous people, Elrhino is also making a progressive effort to end the man-animal conflict.

“The vision really was to say that we want to save forests, we want to give back to the community we come from, and we want to work basically towards creating a more sustainable future.”

Making the Elephant and Rhino Dung Papers..

Other than the purpose of conservation, the poop of these two animals is also valuable from a paper point of view. Elephants and Rhinos, to a large extent, rely on long grasses and branches for their diet. Besides, they also have weak digestive systems. Both of these factors make their poop fibrous, making it an ideal raw material for producing papers.

With the dung as the main protagonist, various supporting characters such as waste jute, banana bark, cotton rags, etc., also go into the process. The poop is first boiled, mixed with the rest of the ingredients, and made into a pulp with the help of water. This pulp is spread onto a wire mesh screen, physically dried, and just like that, the papers are ready!

The cherry on the cake? According to their estimations, every 1200 kilograms of paper ends up saving about 27 trees! Making paper but saving trees, what more can one ask for? One more aspect to acknowledge here is the use of zero chemicals in the process. Due to this and a basic filtration process, the team reuses the same water again. Plus, the low electrical usage helps the entire process to cause less harm to the environment. As a result, not only the papers but also the process here is eco-friendly.

Final Thoughts

Elrhino’s premium quality elephant and rhino dung papers deserve every possible shout-out. The concept of making papers with animal poop and raising awareness for their conservation is praiseworthy, isn’t it?
It is unfortunate to realize that animals are under the threat of going extinct. Hence, every effort to draw attention to the matter needs amplification.
It is because of our needs these poor creatures are suffering today. And though we are the reason for their extinction, may we also be the reason for their prosperous survival. Here’s to being hopeful!

Ecopurple would like to know your thoughts on this; thus, feel free to comment 🙂

The Bio Architects: Put Your Hands Together (PYHT)

Leave a Comment / By Sharayu Mishal

Meet the Bio Architects of Mumbai

‘Put Your Hands Together’ (PYHT), a team of bio architects is a firm that aces when it comes to constructing eco-friendly infrastructures. What sets them apart from the conventional architects, the very essence of bio-architecture, is the choice of working with natural materials, thus practicing eco-friendly architecture.

When asked about the philosophy behind their work, this is what Shahveer, one of the co-founders, had to say,

“To design spaces that bring a sense of peace and calm, the materials we use contribute a great factor to this too. So we design with the ecosystem and build with natural materials.”

'Put Your Hands Together's' Eco-conscious Approach

To talk about their environment-friendly process, it all begins from sourcing what is available locally. For this, PYHT mostly relies upon the site and its vicinity.

“First choice is the site itself, and then we keep spanning outward to get material from as close to the site as possible.”

Also, as opposed to cement, PYHT prefers to work with the natural binding material – the earth. This rustic COB house built at Kamshet, with materials sourced on-site, makes a good case in point.

Not just COB, but PYHT also crafts and works with other natural materials such as adobe, rammed earth, CSEB (compressed stabilized earth blocks), bamboo, etc., every material, inspired and sourced locally. As a result, each design complements the ecosystem it is within.

Also read: Upcycling at its Best – Studio Alternatives

Challenges are a part of everything one does in his/her life. And these bio-architects are no different. They, too, have to deal with them in executing this eco-conscious concept.

“There are a plenty of challenges, books can be written on the same, as designers our job is problem solving, sustainable or not. Some of the ones we face regularly are, resistance/skepticism from people of the idea and feasibility of what we do.”

Intentionally or not, it is safe to say that Put Your Hands Together is reviving the ancient art of architecture in this modern world. A technique that was kinder to our ecosystems. Be it building an earthquake-resistant home in Nepal or a homestay at Manali, PYHT’s confidence in natural materials is meritorious.

10+ Online Stores to Shop and Celebrate a Sustainable Diwali

3 Comments / By Sharayu Mishal

Celebrate a Responsible, Eco friendly, and a Sustainable Diwali!

What according to you defines Diwali? May be the lights, shopping, ethnic outfits, Rangolis, or delicacies, etc. Your answers might be different, but we can all agree that Diwali truly brings along a wholesome festive vibe, doesn’t it?

What I love the most is the shopping and gifting aspect of it! It’s the one time of the year when the expenses do not take you on a guilt trip. You worry less and celebrate more. But while you’re at it, how about a responsible celebration this time? How about this time we celebrate a sustainable Diwali?

Click here to get straight to the point.

Why a Sustainable Diwali?

Although Diwali is a festival of love and light, environmental concerns also rise. I’m not going to lecture about air pollution, it’s 2020, and hence self-explanatory. We often discuss about fire crackers to be the ultimate issue, but there’s an underestimated pollution we forget- Fashion. As the festival spirit calls for shopping the best ethnic wear, it’s a profit season for the fast fashion brands. This is why a sustainable Diwali celebration matters. So let’s talk more about shopping that is both, ethically and environmentally safe.

With Diwali right around the corner, you might be on a shopping spree or in search of the perfect family presents. And since you’re here, I can say you are looking to make an eco-conscious buy. Thus, I’ve created this list of 10+ conscious online stores. These will help you celebrate a responsible and a sustainable Diwali.

To make your life easy, the stores are divided into 3 categories:

1. For clothing

2. For Jewelry (click here to jump right into it)

3. For overall shopping or gifting (click here and jump right into it).

Disclaimer: The following list is in no particular order of preference.

Shop/Gift Eco-friendly Ethnic Wear

1. Nicobar

Nicobar belongs to the slow fashion bandwagon. Their philosophy is to make products that are: long lasting, not trend-driven, inspired by natural materials, and influenced by the culture we grew up in.

The above collage is only a gist of what Nicobar has to offer.

2. Sundarii

Sundarii, as you can see, has ‘sundar’ (beautiful) collection of sarees, doesn’t it? These are ethically sourced and sustainably crafted. Keeping fast fashion away and reviving the Indian heritage of handicrafts, Sundarii designs conscious apparels that you’ll cherish for years to come.

3. Okhai

Okhai is yet another handicraft-based apparel brand that stands tall due to the hardworking force of rural artisans from across India. Supported by the Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development (TCSRD), Okhai does well in expressing the rural way of life through their beautifully handcrafted products.

To know 10 more sustainable fashion brands, check out my previous blog:

https://ecopurple.co/sustainable-fashion-brands-for-you/

Shop/Gift Eco-friendly Jewelry

1. Vie

Vie, meaning ‘life’ in French is true to it’s name as the brand is giving wasted, rejected buttons from factories a new life! What’s interesting is that Vie makes use of natural buttons only, and not the ones that are synthetic, plastic, or polyester.

2. Papermelon

Trashy treasures! Papermelon literally ‘crafts’ jewelry out of paper stash and I’m all for it. Amazing to know that each piece is handmade with love and creativity. Be it a brand new paper, or an old newspaper, Papermelon brings the best out of both!

3. Eurumme

With sustainability and conscious production at the forefront, Eurumme has an eccentric line of jewelry. Eurumme handcrafts imperfectly perfect jewelries with metal and semi precious stones through the technique of plating and electroplating. Each piece is unique as no two pieces are same.

Shop/Gift Eco-friendly Diwali Presents

1. Brown Living

This one’s a personal favourite! Brown Living is an online marketplace dedicated to sustainable products. If you’re trying to live a plastic-free, sustainable, or a zero waste life, then don’t waste a second and check out this online store!

2. Bare Necessities Zero Waste

Bare Nessecities Zero Waste is yet another store for you to make a sustainable purchase. When looking for a thoughtful gift, how about a zero waste gift bundle? This can help your loved ones have a less environmental impact which in turn will bring along a feel-good vibe!

3. The Happy Turtle

Promoting a life that is free of plastic is the cornerstone of The Happy Turtle. The team is dedicated to providing eco-friendly alternatives to plastic infused products. This pretty lantern, the bamboo speaker, and the plastic-free travel kit are some of the best options to gift your dear ones and yourself, too!

4. Zerowasteshop India

The name says it all! Beginning a zero waste lifestyle is much needed in current times and stores like these help in making a zero waste swap in nearly every which way possible. From kitchen and bathroom essentials to home decor, lifestyle, and travel essentials, this Zero waste shop has an alternative for all!

Celebrating a sustainable Diwali will take you closer to our planet. You will end up feeling joyful, yet proud, for you took a stand for your home – the Earth.

I hope you celebrate a safe, happy, and a sustainable Diwali!

Best Sustainable Razors For Men and Women (2021)

1 Comment / By Sharayu Mishal

It's Time to Green your Grooming Session with a Sustainable Razor

Does your shaving razor look something like these ones? If yes, we have a problem.

I’m all for normalizing the stigma around body hair. But in the end, it all comes down to personal choice, right? To shave or not to shave, that is the question!

Well, I’m not going to discuss the benefits or the demerits of shaving, that’s not what I’m here for. What I do wanna discuss is the topic my title suggests – Sustainable Razors.

Wanna get straight to the point? Click here.

But What does Sustainability has to do with Razors?

First of all, sustainability has to do with everything. And razors, too, are a part of it.

How Exactly?

Today if we compare a regular disposable razor, it consists of our beloved culprit – Plastic. Now I don’t want to get into explaining how bad plastic is. It’s common knowledge.

Let’s dissect this razor. The handle is often made with plastic, and rubber to maintain the grip. Then comes the plastic cartridge embedded with the metal blades.

Although the blades are recyclable, do we really detach them before discarding them? I never did. And I’m pretty sure you don’t do it either.

Also, how annoying is it when the hair is still clogged into the blades? While the cleaning factor is the biggest demerit in a disposable cartridge razor, it is one of the best advantages in a sustainable safety razor!

Moreover, a disposable razor is unlikely to recycle. Even the blades cannot be recycled in this situation. This is because they’re embedded within the plastic cartridge. I cannot stress this point any further. By now you should realize that a basic shaving razor is not innocent. Disposables are becoming the new plastic straws!

Anything that is disposable, is wasteful. And a disposable razor is no exception. Millions contribute this waste to landfill each year. Let’s not be a part of this bandwagon.

The following is a list of some of the Best Sustainable Razors available for both men and women. Check them out and make that rightful switch.

PS, the list is in no particular order of preference.

1. Reusable Bamboo Razor for Women By 'The Woman's Company'

The Woman’s Company is an eco-conscious brand that showcases personal care products for women only (Duh!!).

This sustainable razor is one of their eco products that is completely plastic-free. It consists of natural bamboo and stainless steel metal-head. And as a result, safe for the environment. A good companion for your low-waste living.

What to Expect?

The razor comes with a natural bamboo handle which is super light and provides an easy grip.
The metal head provides a safe fit for double-edged blades making it super-efficient as well.
The skin-protecting shield actually shields your skin from getting any cut. Thus, the razor shines in providing you with a safe, smooth, and pain-free experience.
TWC also provides a set of 10 free blades with the razor. Once a blade loses its sharpness, simply replace it with another.
You will also be provided with an in-depth user manual.

Blades are recyclable, so there’s no reason to be guilty while discarding them. Make sure you discard them with proper caution, you don’t want to harm an innocent waste collector.

One of the benefits is that you can use this razor for not only your basic body hair but also for your bikini area. It’s that pain-free!

Trust me, once you’ll give it a try, you won’t turn back. You will ditch those disposable razors for good!

Pros

Durable/ reusable design
Eco-friendly
Bacteria and rust-free
Plastic-free
Biodegradable (bamboo) and recyclable (blade)
Plastic-free packaging
10 free blades
Relatively Cheap

Cons

You might need some time to get used to.
Compared to the plastic razors, this one does not have a flexible head.

Say no to disposables and say yes to reusables.

2. Bambaw's Eco-friendly Unisex Double Edge Safety Razor

Next on my list is yet another bamboo razor by the brand – Bambaw. Bambaw is one of the trusted brands from Europe, a seller of products that are harmless to earth, such as this razor.

Bambaw’s unisex razor aims to re-introduce you to that traditional plastic-free shaving. A shaving experience undermined by the disposables of today.

What to Expect?

All-natural lightweight bamboo handle with a handy grip.
A stainless steel metal head appropriate for a double edge blade.
Provides a pain-free, smooth, and safe shaving experience like the disposable ones. In fact, much better.
Inclusive of an in-depth user manual.

Here, too, you can replace the blade once it becomes blunt. Remember, discard the blades with the safety of others in mind.

Coming back to the point, if you want to make your shaving experience irritation, hassle, and plastic-free, then this is it. This sustainable razor is confident to become your lifetime grooming bestie!

And did I mention the plastic-free packaging?!

Pros

Durable
Eco-friendly
plastic-free
biodegradable (bamboo), recyclable (blade)
Skin-safe
Plastic-free packaging

Cons

Quite expensive
Provides only a single Astra blade.
You might need some time to get used to.
Compared to the plastic razors, this one does not have a flexible head.

Be part of a bigger movement by reducing your plastic consumption.

3. Bambaw's Metal Safety Razors

Bambaw also has a metal razors collection. Metal being the raw material, it is possible to recycle them.

What to Expect?

These unisex metal safety razors are available in 3 colors. Currently in India, you can find only 2 colors – Black and Rose Gold.
Has a contemporary design that might interest you.
Equipped with the double edge settings, firm grip to handle, and a no-stress experience.
Smooth shaving feels. Perfectly safe to skin.
Inclusive of an in-depth user manual.

Pros

Durable/ reusable design
Eco-friendly
Plastic-free razor
Recyclable
Plastic-free packaging

Cons

Quite expensive
Provides only a single Astra blade
You might need some time to get used to.
Compared to the plastic razors, this one does not have a flexible head.

Liked what you saw and read? Then,

Also read: 10 Best Sustainable Fashion Brands in India.

4. Unisex Butterfly Open Safety Razors by Zomchi

Looking for a much stylish touch? Then check out this interestingly designed sustainable razor by Zomchi.

What to Expect?

A complete metal based handle and head.
Hassle-free to use, easy-grip, easy fit for double-edged blades. Blades are of course replaceable.

Twist the bottom of the handle and the metal head opens up (like the wings of a butterfly). Place the blade on the blade holder and twist it back to close the wings. Dramatic enough? Repeat the exact steps while replacing the blade.

Smooth experience
Pain-free
Skin-safe

With the customer first policy, every razor accompanies a set of 5 blades and a mini cleaning brush. A complete package!

PS, the mini brush might contradict the ‘plastic-free’ goal.

Pros

Durable/ reusable design
Eco-friendly
Plastic-free razor
Recyclable
5 extra blades

Cons

Quite expensive
The cleaning brush might contain plastic.
You might need some time to get used to.
Compared to the plastic razors, this one does not have a flexible head.

Zomchi promises to give you an ultimate shaving experience while helping you be a responsible earthling.

5. Almitra Sustainables' Reusable Double Edge Safety Razor

A believer in co-existence, this brand is championing sustainability like a charm. And this Bamboo razor is one of the testimonies to their promise.

What to Expect?

This double edge safety razor is designed to give a comfortable shaving experience.
It is an ergonomic product providing an easy-grip bamboo handle.
Has a stainless steel metal-head making it convenient to recycle.
Gender-neutral.

Pros

Durable/ reusable design
Eco-friendly
Plastic-free
Biodegradable (bamboo) and recyclable (blades and metal head)
Relatively cheap

Cons

You might need some time to get used to.
Compared to the plastic razors, this one does not have a flexible head.
No extra blades

A sustainable razor for you, and a sustainable life for our planet!

Conclusion

All the razors mentioned above are great alternatives to disposable ones.
I also cannot ignore the fact that sustainable razors cost more than what we pay for a regular one. But you, too, should not forget that it is an investment for many years to come. Even a lifetime! This is an investment you’ll fail to regret.
You will no longer need to buy a razor every other month, how about that?
This small step of saying no to single-use will make a huge impact on the planet.
#sustainabilitymatter.

Temple Waste Recycled into Natural Dyes

Leave a Comment / By Sharayu Mishal

Fast Fashion Industries need to take notes on Natural Dyes

As an Indian, I am very well aware of how important religious ceremonies are to us. Be it any religion, Indians love to celebrate their devotion to god. And following this devotion, there comes the immense offering.

When it comes to seeking blessings from a deity, Indians will spare no efforts. From peace offering some cash into the charity box, to feeding the poor, we will do anything for Bhagwan ka Ashirwad! (God’s blessings).

However, among all such expressions of thanksgiving, floral offerings remain the authentic ritual. Visiting a Mandir (temple) and not offering flowers?

via GIPHY

Thousands of people visit temples every day. The amount of flowers received is huge and so is the waste. This waste is either dumped, discarded into the rivers/seas, or composted (if someone’s wise enough).

So is there a solution to this? There is. Just stop littering! Devotion should not come at the cost of nature.

However, India does have various communities that recycle temple waste. Let’s take a look at one such community that is making natural dyes out of the floral waste.

Natural Dyes By Adiv Pure Nature

Located in Andheri, Mumbai, Adiv Pure Nature is a group of thoughtful advocates of nature. The team led by Rupa Trivedi aims to popularize the use of natural dyes in textiles. This is to create a fashion chain that complements the circular economy.

Understanding the aftereffect of temple waste, Adiv gave birth to the ‘Temple Project’. The team says,

“The Temple Project aims to create a dye palette that is 100% based on recycled temple waste. And applying it in a scientific manner to achieve beautiful textiles with excellent fastness properties.”

Since 2008, Adiv Pure Nature is collecting floral waste from the famous Shri Siddhi Vinayak Temple of Mumbai. Vinod Mahadeshwar, a diligent worker at the temple collects about 150 kilograms of floral offering every week. The collection is then delivered to Rupa’s workshop at Andheri. The best part is, Siddhi Vinayak Temple is doing this for free.

Did You Know?

Shri Siddhi Vinayak Temple is often visited by more than 30 thousand people each day. The number increases to 1 lakh on Tuesdays (Tuesday is specifically dedicated to Lord Ganesha). Imagine the volume of the offerings!

Natural Dyes - The Procedure

Once the floral waste reaches the workshop, the flowers are first dried. The team works with fresh and powdered flowers as well.

For dyeing, the artisans first note the weight of the fabric. With reference to this weight, they determine the volume of rest of the ingredients.

The fabric is then boiled with calculated proportions of water and alum. Once boiled, the artisans sprinkle the petals over the fabric, fold it, and steam it. After this procedure, the fabric is twitched such that the petals fall off, washed, and dried. And just like that, the cloth is hand-dyed!

Adiv creates amazing natural dyes with a variety of ingredients. This include marigolds, roses, coconut husks, hibiscus, onions, pomegranate, tea, etc among others. The craftsmen then tailor the dyed fabric into beautiful scarves and other clothing items.

What I Find Impressive is..

After making the dyes, Adiv further sends the floral waste for composting. The right disposal of this floral waste is necessary as they often contain pesticides. And if they’re discarded into rivers, the pesticides can pollute the water and further harm the ecosystems. Thus, the team does it’s best to ensure eco-conscious practices.

Another impressive thing is that the artisans at Adiv are all self-taught, and not to forget, their products are handstitched. Moreover, most of the working staff comes from challenging backgrounds. Adiv has given them the opportunity to have a profession. Their skillset is being used for the right reasons. Thanks to their wise leader Rupa!

All in all, Rupa Trivedi’s efforts through Adiv Pure Nature is a way towards a greener and a cleaner future. Textile industries or the “fast fashion” industries need to take some serious notes from Adiv.

India also has other organizations who work with similar raw materials. There’s ‘Phool‘, found by Ankit Agarwal and Karan Rastogi, who create Florafoam – an eco-friendly thermocol! Phool also produce incense sticks and cones, vermicompost, and organic Gulaal. All this out India’s temple waste!

Smart entrepreneurs such as Rupa, Karan, and Ankit make sustainability sound so effortless. And we Indians while expressing devotion, must show simultaneous care towards nature as well.

Responsible citizenship towards India and our planet must go hand in hand.

Buy Sustainable Products with Brown Living

Leave a Comment / By Sharayu Mishal

Shop Sustainable Products without Going on a Guilt Trip

Are you aware of Greenwashing?

To Greenwash someone is to fool them by claiming that a product/service is environmentally friendly. Brands make such bogus claims to attract customers looking for sustainable products.

Have you ever been Greenwashed yourself?

I know I have. But I have learned from my mistake, and just so that this doesn’t happen with you, I want to highlight a green community that promises to provide a range of trustworthy sustainable products. Since I have invested in them, I can vouch for their service 🙂

Let’s get to know them.

Brown Living

Chaitsi Ahuja, the founder, or how she likes to call it – ‘Entrepreneur of Sustainability’, is an environmentalist at heart. She, along with the support of her peers, established Brown Living – an eco-friendly shopping website dedicated to sustainable products. Their objective is to support brands and small businesses who design products pertaining to a circular economy.

What’s in store for you?

From clothing to bathroom essentials, hair care, kitchen essentials, home decor, etc, the store provides a myriad range of products. The plus point is, all of these are crafted in such a way that they support the health of our environment.

Brown Living not only provides sustainable choices but also the ones that are vegan, organic, and of course eco-friendly. You can shop guilt-free!

What I find impressive is...

The plastic-free packaging! Isn’t it a bummer when you order an eco-product only to find it in a bubble wrap, and the packaging sealed with a plastic tape?

via GIPHY

For years, packaging and the use of plastic have gone hand in hand. We all have witnessed and performed this practice. And this is something that deserves a better alternative.

Understanding this issue and to stay in tune with the promise of plastic-free packaging, Brown Living says,

“We require that all shipments to Brown Living and to its customers to come 100% Plastic-Free (that includes bio-based or compostable plastics as well).”

They even use water-activated paper tapes and plant-based glue to seal the overall package. Hence, plastic-free.

Brown Living’s work ethic is in alignment with the UN’s Goals for Sustainable Development while supporting afforestation, slow and mindful living, fair trade and ethical sourcing, and more green ethics.

The Brown Lens

With an intend to avoid greenwashing, the team studies the framework and application of the sustainable products they feature. Before showcasing a particular product, the Brown Lens ethic is used to determine how it’s made, the source of materials, the environmental impact, and the functionality.

Thus, if you wish to save yourself from getting greenwashed, Brown Living is here for you!

Conclusion

Brown living is a safe place for you to pin your faith and make a green investment.

Here’s an easy tip to save yourself from getting Greenwashed:

Check for legitimacy, certifications. Look for testimonials, an elite media coverage, multiple reviews. This will help you to better understand the product and the brand manufacturing it. Don’t fall for the description as soon as you read it.

Something we as consumers should take care of:

No matter how much a brand or a community extends a contribution in living green, we as consumers, too, should take responsibility. Even if it’s a sustainable product, ask yourself a question – Do I really need it? Shop for necessity rather than for luxury.

Be mindful. Be conscious.

Comment down below and tell me if you are aware of any such green community 🙂

How to Live a Sustainable Lifestyle

1 Comment / By Sharayu Mishal

What do You Understand by the Word – Sustainability? Or a Sustainable Lifestyle?

For me, these terms define 2 things:

To practice measures that are earth-friendly and
to make use of long-lasting products that have the least environmental impact.

Today, most of us have become educated enough to understand the human effect on our planet. Our current lifestyle and the source of economy is more linear than circular.

To put it in simple words, our actions are harming the environment. We are aware of the problems and also the solutions, but we lack the urge to do something about it.

Having said that, breaking a habit and adopting a new way of life is not easy. You need to commit. You need to understand the importance of why should you do it. If you care for the resources and expect them to sustain, these are enough reasons to take action. The fact that you are reading this article, says a lot in itself.

If you wish to contribute to make our world a better place to live in, here’s what you need to do: Adopt an ethically Sustainable Lifestyle.

There are plenty of ways to make green efforts for the betterment of our planet. I want to discuss just them. And to provide you a genuine set of methods, I asked a few of my friends to help me out. I asked them about their sustainable practices, and the following is a compilation of their responses.

You may find some suggestions basic, while some may be extreme. Try to incorporate the ones you can. If you find something repeated, then maybe it is important and worth considering.

Response #1:

Manage your Basic Waste Disposal - Suvin Mayekar

“Adopting a sustainable lifestyle, I guess is a much-needed solution today. The execution is not easy though; we cannot start big. We have to start small from the bottom and work ourselves up. So for the problem at hand, this start should begin with you. And to do so, you need to feel the urge, the importance of it. Then, you may plan out how to make your household earth-friendly.

You can start by managing waste. Here’s how you can maintain a sustainable workflow:

Do not litter (basic!)
discard waste the right way by segregating garbage into dry and wet wastes,
discard the sanitary waste separately in a paper bag,
limit the use of non-biodegradable, use-and-throw products/practices, and
promote and educate others.

Following the above simple guidelines, one can achieve a green routine. And, if every citizen is responsible enough, a sustainable lifestyle Take one step at a time.”

Response #2:

Say No to Fast Fashion - Sakshi Vichare

“Instead of falling for the brands who produce fast fashion, try to stitch your clothes with the help of a tailor. This can help curb the pollution caused by textile waste – a major contributor to landfills.

Fast fashion promotes the use of cheap fabric that does not last long, and thus creates more fabric waste. A lot of freshwaters are also polluted due to textile treatments and dyeing. Moreover, most of the time, the craftsmen work in unethical environments and do not get their due. While these are only a few factors influencing textile waste, there are ways in which we can tackle it.

Start by making small changes. Contribute towards a circular economy, and ultimately to sustainability.

Learn the advantages you get when you choose to stitch your clothes,

You select the fabric of your choice – which is of good quality, durable, and will last for years and years to come.
You know the background of your local tailor which will assure you of the ethical workplace.
You can customize your clothes the way you want. The clothes we buy most of the time have some or the other issue in the fitting. Here, you can get the perfect fit.
You get a variety of options in the patterns and designs of your choice. Think about the various possible outcomes you can have!

The fashion industry is the 2nd most polluting field. We can control this waste by opting for stitched clothes and avoiding fast fashion. Your small effort in practicing a sustainable lifestyle will be of great help.”

Response #3:

When I asked my friend, Ruta Pendse, she came up with 5 helpful ways to go green and I could not be more thankful.

"1. Veganism

Animal-based products account for about 60% of Agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. So we can prevent climate change by going vegan which in turn also contributes to animal welfare. Thus, try to follow veganism and vegan diets as much as possible.

2. Waste and Composting

Manage your in-house biodegradable scraps by creating a mini compost. You can also grow your vegetables or herbs on a small scale in your apartment if possible. Buy local produce as much as you can. By reducing the use of processed and packaged foods, you can have a sustainable lifestyle. And even if you happen to buy them, throw the trash mindfully in recycling/waste bins.
Practice waste segregation. Ensure proper disposal of sanitary waste and try switching to biodegradable sanitary napkins or menstrual cups. Regular pads contain plastic which takes around 500-800 years to decompose. Whereas, compostable pads take around 5-6 months.

3. Prevention

Use Public transport when you can. Try to live a minimalistic lifestyle by buying and using only what is needed. Recycle or donate extras to charity.

4. Clothing Waste

About 70% of clothing waste ends up in the landfill. So buy limited, necessary clothing, and donate what you don’t wear to charity or people who can repurpose it.

5. Try to Upcycle

Craft best-out-of-waste. Turn your old garments into aprons, cloth wipes, scrunchies, etc. Or, use the single-use plastic bottles for mini plantations. The famous ‘5 min Crafts’ handle on Instagram will show you amazing hacks.

These are 5 of the many ways to practice sustainability. Start small. You need to commit and not make excuses. Earth is ours to protect.”

Response #4:

Practicing sustainability is no doubt a profitable solution. But awareness for the same still lacks while building a foundation. And by foundation, I mean our education. Here’s what my friend, Raj Kodare has to say about it:

“’Explain in brief about Pollution’ to ‘Use of green Technology in Chemical Industry’ in my undergraduate days, the education system made sure to have one environmental subject. This is to make students aware and to educate on how to deal with the problems related. But has it served the purpose? Or do we take the subject for granted, and answer “EVS hai re, woh toh aata hi hai!” (It’s environmental studies! It’s easy). We do, don’t we?

This proves that our academic assignments do not drive us to work for nature. And unless one feels the ‘need’ to do so, he/she will most probably not contribute. This may be because our education system has always kept EVS a secondary subject when it deserves to be mainstream education.

It’s high time we realize the upcoming crisis and begin to work on an individual level. We should not care about the certificates or tax exemptions from social activities. Let us do our part, not for the sake of it, but because it needs to be done!”

My personal advice:

Lead by Example

My friends have pointed out some great ways in guiding you to adopt a sustainable lifestyle. However, only learning and educating others is not enough. You need to present yourself as an example so that you can inspire your peers the right way and not be a hypocrite.

Show your concerns. Use your resources to promote your beliefs, and join hands in reducing the human impact.

Our environment, the natural resources, deserve better. Take a step in making that happen.

Let me know if this helped you.

Also, comment down below how you practice sustainability.

A Guide to Conscious Trekking

2 Comments / By Sharayu Mishal

Learn How to be a Responsible Trekker

Since 2019, I have grown a huge interest in trekking. If you too are a fellow trekking enthusiast, high-five! But if you are not into treks, I strongly recommend you give it a try.

To trek is to explore nature in a much more lively manner. And the best season to do that is monsoon. Be it in the Sahyadris, or the Himalayas, the luscious green meadows, the generous meet and greets with waterfalls, the sweet smell of mud wafting around after a slight drizzle of rain, and the beautiful scenery observed from the top of mountains, fill the chest of pleasures with tranquility. To be honest, any season is a trekking season!

However, many a time, this pleasureful rendezvous with nature doesn’t feel special when you happen to come across..

With trekking gaining popularity, an increasing number of people are trailing within the natural hot spots. And there is absolutely nothing wrong in it, as long as one chooses not to leave behind traces. Don’t you agree?

So, how can one be careful? How can you and I be conscious in regards to not leaving behind such footprints when on a trek?

The solutions are simple. One has to responsibly manage his waste by following the principle of ‘ Leave No Trace.’

And today, to help you inspire and be conscious, I want to highlight the green efforts of one of India’s top trekking communities – Indiahikes.

In June 2019, I had an opportunity to go for a Himalayan trek with this team. It was then when I was first introduced to their concept, “Green Trails.”

What is Green Trails?

Green trails an initiative put forth by Indiahikes to clean and maintain the beauty of the Himalayas. Their objective is to reform the world of trekking in an eco-friendly and sustainable way to reduce the environmental impact.

How do they do it?

1. Eco-Bags

Before beginning with the trek, the trekkers are handed with an eco-bag (the one tied to my waist).

The purpose of this bag is to collect litter encountered along the trail. And it is strictly for the trash found in the mountains.

With the “take your trash back” policy, Indiahikes makes it clear that every trekker has to take their waste back with them, a rule we all should anyway follow.

Around 6000 Kg of waste is collected every year from the Himalayas, which is a lot!

2. Segregation

At each successive campsite, all the collected litter in the eco-bags get segregated into wastes that can go for recycling/upcycling, composting, and non-recycling waste.

The goal to minimize the amount of waste going into the landfill forms the cornerstone of the Green Trails.

3. Dry Toilets

Did you know that human poop takes around one year to decompose?

Also, did you know that an average human produces around 500 g of poop every day? That means in 7 days, one trekker produces around 3.5 kilos of poop. A batch of 18 trekkers, in 7 days, produces 63 kilos of poop.

These numbers matter, especially when a group goes for a week-long trek. Pooping in the wilderness has its drawbacks as it can pollute the groundwater that flows into nearby rivers, or can even pass harmful bacteria from humans to the animals. Therefore, poop decomposition is crucial.

Luckily, Indiahikes has managed to find a way to reduce this impact by building Dry Toilets at each campsite. These are toilet tents with a deep pit, and two sacks – one with sawdust/cocopeat (powdered coconut husk) and the other with mud.

All you have to do is, and I’m saying this from experience,

Squat over the pit,
do your business, use the toilet paper, and throw it in the pit;
Finally, cover everything with cocopeat and mud.

Why cocopeat?

Because it soaks up the moisture content and fastens the decomposition process, this makes the poop degrade within 6-8 months.

As water slows down the degradation, these dry toilets prove to be useful.

Now I know that for a regular one-day trek, you might not make the effort to carry along cocopeat. However, what you can do is find a spot at least 200 meters away from the campsite or the water stream, dig up a pit, excrete and cover it up. This way, you can ensure less impact on the groundwater and also maintain the overall hygiene of the surrounding.

4. Workshops and Awareness Programs

Villages in the remotest of places, do not have municipal corporations to take care of the waste therein; this triggers the local people to dig up a giant pit, fill it with their garbage, and burn the entire thing. As a result, this process does nothing but simply piles up pollution levels.

With Green trails, Indiahikes organizes workshops to address the issue and help create awareness among the villagers, promoting the idea of segregation.

The team educates and encourages them to engineer upcycled products like eco-bricks. Eco-bricks comprise filling a plastic or glass bottle with non-biodegradable waste materials. These bricks prove to be of excellent use in the construction of local infrastructures.

Another such example is the creation of eco-pillows sold to the trekkers as souvenirs. Local women are encouraged to participate in crafting these upcycled products, and the revenue made is distributed among them.

Conclusion

Such grassroots projects functioning deliberately for the greater good of our society, call for the acknowledgment and support from recognized organizations that can help to achieve the goal with greater efficiency.
Indiahikes is doing their bit to keep their trail as clean as humanly possible. Awareness towards them can itself help change the perspective of us citizens to do our bit to maintain not just the wilderness but the daily surroundings as well.
We should not feel the need for such initiatives to go for a cleanliness drive, even picking up a piece of trash encountered on our way and discarding it into a dustbin can make a difference. Or from now on, let us carry an eco-bag of our own!

Comment down below and let me know what you think.

5 Essays on Environmental issues by Kids

Leave a Comment / By Sharayu Mishal

Environmental Essays Written by Kids

Covid-19 has given us enough evidence to realize that only humans are capable of both protecting and destroying the environment. We went into lockdown and the earth began to heal itself. Pollution levels dropped, and the surroundings regained their natural value.

Lockdown has made us retrospect our actions, which made the World Environment Day 2020 even more valuable. And as a segment to acknowledge this day, Ecopurple asked a few kids to jot down essays, to understand how the young minds perceive the environment.

To keep it genuine, the following essays have not been polished by correcting the writing errors; the reason is for you to cherish their innocence.

1️⃣ By Aditi Kumbhar, age 12.

World Environment Day

We celebrate World environment day on the 5^th of June; it promotes ways to improve the Earth’s environment, such as conserving forests and preventing pollution.

Global warming is one of the main causes of air pollution. It is caused by increased rates of methane and CO2 in air which results in the melting of ice capes. Due to the increased population of vehicles and frequent cutting of trees, the CO2 in the air is increasing. The industries discard all the wastes in water which affects the organisms living in the water. Disposal of non-biodegradable waste such as plastics causes the death of animals who eat them. The burning of plastics also causes air pollution.

We need to control all this before the situation gets worse. Plastic bags should be strictly prohibited. Tress should be planted frequently. Public transport should be promoted. Water should be used wisely. The dry waste and wet waste should be separated and their disposal should be done carefully. Earth is like our home and we must make efforts to keep it clean and green.

2️⃣ By Yatish Chipkar, age 11.

World Environment Day

The environment is one of the most important aspects of survival on earth. it is the thing that can make life sustainable. we cannot survive a single day without it.

World Environment Day was established in 1972 on the first day of the Stockholm conference. In 1974 the first day of World Environment Day was held. As we are going under the current situation we should at least try to plant one plant in front of our house we should try not to use more water on this day. Try to use products that are sustainable and are made out of biodegrading materials. Try to recycle waste rather than throwing it.

The most dangerous thing for the environment is pollution. Pollution harms the environment poisoning lakes and soil. It kills the plants and animals and humans are harmed by pollution too. W are can save the planet and stay away from pollution by not using single-use items like plastic, walk more rather than using vehicles, conserve water, and plant trees instead of cutting them.

Come let’s save the environment rather than destroying it.

3️⃣ By Shubham Jhala, age 11.

Environment and Pollution

Pollution is something people have created. pollution classified into four groups air water land and noise.

Water pollution happens when waste is dumped on a water body like Ocean, Seas, and lakes. This causes the area where the waste was disposed to be polluted and no longer support life.

Land pollution happens when people throw waste on the ground which then soaks into the soil and makes it unfertilized.

Noise pollution happens when there is a lot of noise due to construction, cars honking, or kids shouting. This makes school children not concentrate and patients in the hospital uncomfortable that is why they are no noise zones.

Air pollution happens when factories leave smoke; this causes breathing-related problems and hard to breathe.

The environment is something that is all around us and these pollutions are harmful to it. We all need to help in saving our environment by reducing all kinds of pollution.

4️⃣ By Yash Koli, age 11.

Environment Day

The environment is a God-created atmosphere on earth where we are born, grow, play, Love, and live. It consists of water, air, plants, and animals. It is our original home for living.

Before creating life on earth, God created air, water, soil, and plants which are essential for our life. Our environment consists of living and non-living things. They can be classified as the natural environment and the built environment. The natural environment is something that has been in existence for long, it is God gifted; and the built environment is the one that has been created by man.

World Environment Day is celebrated on 5th June every year. People from more than a hundred countries celebrate this day. Furthermore, World Environment Day is run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since the year 1973. The main purpose of celebrating this day was to spread awareness. The awareness was about the conservation of our environment.

We want our environment to be safe, but there are few pollutions, which affect our environment. Pollutions such as air pollution, water pollution, land pollution, noise pollution, etc.

I want to talk about air pollution. It is one of the major concerns regarding the environment. Air pollution is the addition of any harmful gases to the atmosphere which causes damage to the environment and human health. Some of the measures to control air pollution can be reducing the use of automobiles, plant more plants go solar, etc.

We have to save our environment from air pollution.

5️⃣ By Tanmay Naik, age 12.

Our Environment

Every year, 5th June is celebrated as World Environment Day. To create awareness towards the conservation of our resources like food, water, and electricity. Our environment is beautiful, but day by day we are making it dirty.

Some people throw garbage in rivers, lakes, and Ponds; and water cannot be used anymore. Some people fall ill because of water pollution.

Some ways to reduce pollution are: stop throwing garbage on the road and water to reduce land and water, planting more trees to reduce air pollution. Plant trees to save and to keep our environment clean.

Conclusion

These youngsters have mentioned some important points that we adults, who are capable of creating a change should consider.

It’s never too late to educate ourselves and adopt responsible practices for the sustenance of our species.

We can help shape the minds of the generation to come by inculcating the importance of our ecosystems within them.

Let’s be conscious.

What is Recycling and Upcycling? Same or Different?

Leave a Comment / By Sharayu Mishal

Recycling Vs Upcycling - Is there a Difference?

Recycling and upcycling may seem similar, one can get easily confused between the two and even claim them to be the same, but are they? The answer is simply No. Although the two seem similar, there’s one significant difference in their processes.

By definition, Recycling is when waste is converted into a reusable form. Whereas upcycling is a process in which a discarded material is reutilized, and transformed into a product of higher value than its original status.

Take a look at the following images.

Image 1 is a shoe made out of a plastic bottle, and image 2 is a guitar shelf.

Can you identify what process is applied in each of the images?

Let us break down the above pictures

The first image has a shoe made out of what looks like a single-use plastic bottle. In this process, the plastic bottles are shredded into flakes, and then after further technical procedures, they are maneuvered into fibers, which can be woven into desirable fabric or product. Therefore, a single-use plastic bottle, unlike the above guitar, is broken down to its entirety and then recycled to create a different product.

Now the second image. It’s a guitar turned into a beautiful shelf. The instrument is not destroyed to the core and then converted into a new piece of décor. However, it is upcycled.

In other words, upcycling is a fancy term for ‘Best-out-of-waste.’

Conclusion

Recycling involves a process of breaking down the discarded object. On the contrary, Upcycling does not break down the material before reusing it; it reutilizes by upgrading the original value of the discarded item.
Both recycling and upcycling results out of one common goal – Reuse, and this approach becomes important when leading a sustainable life.

Therefore, next time when you discard solid wastes, take a moment and think whether there’s a possibility to recycle or upcycle. Blessing the landfill with more unnecessary waste is the last thing we want to do.