Ideaz

Plastic waste is one of the pressing environmental challenges. A major contributor is single-use plastic beverage lids, which are used every year worldwide, most of which are made from non-recyclable polypropylene. In India, tea & coffee are sold in disposable cups by vendors, which contributes heavily to this stream of waste. Current alternatives, such as paper and compostable lids, are limited either by deforestation concerns or high costs.

The gap lies in finding a scalable, affordable, and eco-friendly lid alternative that can replace single-use plastics without burdening vendors or consumers.

So these eco lids are made from agricultural by-products, specifically corn husk fibres processed into durable biodegradable lids. This approach turns farm waste into a valuable resource while keeping costs low through decentralised manufacturing units.

Who benefits?

Vendors: Street tea sellers, cafes, and quick service restaurants gain a low-cost alternative to banned plastics.

Consumers: Access to eco-friendly products without price hikes

Communities: Cleaner streets, reduced landfill burden, and a healthier ecosystem. 

 This idea matters because beverage lids are a silent but massive source of plastic. By replacing them with Eco Lids, it can help tackle plastic pollution at its root. That's why I have already started working on this concept at a small scale, experimenting with agricultural waste like corn husks into usable material. Seeing the potential firsthand has made me realise that turning waste into a solution is not just possible, but necessary and impactful.