-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Wishing all Goanetters | | a Prosperous | | and | | Happy New Year - 2006 | | Goanet - http://www.goanet.org | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- While the city debates the evils of plastic bags, Perses Bilimoria has created one that takes from the Earth only as much as it can return. Mumbai Newsline Anumeha Yadav
Mumbai, January 1: On August 24, a government with its back to the wall announced its intention to free the state of the 'culprit' behind clogged drains and waterlogged streets-the ubiquitious plastic thaili. ''Retrograde,'' retorted manufacturers, retailers and many consumers. Objections and suggestions poured in, committees were set up, war-like debates raged. What thickness, what size of bags to be allowed that will meet varied demands and still be environmentally sound? The answer could lie in Perses Bilimoria's factory at Vasai. The place has that tempting smell of fresh popcorn, but no, Bilimoria (46) is not a chef, nor does his unit supply snacks to the city's multiplexes. Here, starch from corn, wheat and potatoes is used to make bioplastic- material that looks like plastic but is completely biodegradable, like natural cellulose. Of this are made Bilimoria's Earthsoul products-bags, wrappers and bin liners with the strength and versatility of plastic minus its environmental hazards. ''I wanted a product that was ecofriendly at every stage, from origin to end,'' says the Zoarastrian businessman for whom respect for the elements is a principle to live by. Bilimoria, otherwise busy building a beer brand he owns, has found a business model for Earthsoul that is sustainable-commercially and ecologically. Earthsoul's bioplastic disposal bags and suit covers are now much in demand with Mumbai's luxury hotels like the Taj and Oberoi groups. But it's been hard dealing with not just the initial financial losses, but also skepticism and apathy. It was four years ago, walking on a beach littered with plastic in Goa, that Bilimoria resolved to find an alternative to this threat to the soil and the sea. Back home in Mumbai, he spent nine months digging out information on commercial biopolymer alternatives available around the world. He finally approached Cathia Bastioli, CEO of Novamont, and a bioplastics manufacturer in Italy, for supply of the raw material. ''She laughed when she heard my idea,'' Bilimoria remembers the skepticism surrounding the product's commercial viability in India when it hadn't found enough takers even in the developed European countries. Selling bags priced at about Rs 4 as an alternative to plastic ones that cost Re 1 or less, can be tricky. But sales picked up after Bilimoria approached hotels. ''It's a question of adapting to the conditions at one's end,'' says the pragmatic businessman who then found takers in Delhi and now also exports Earthsoul bags to the UK. Bilimoria's perseverance is admired by another never-say-die green, Bittu Sahgal. ''Perses has achieved a lot with the strength of his conviction and gone a step ahead of what he set out to do, showing how it's possible to engage the system,'' says Sahgal of Bilimoria, who is also a member of the Central Committee on Plastics and Waste Management set up in Delhi in November. And Bilimoria definitely has his sights set high. ''I want biopolymers to reach the man on the street, the farmers. The market for this product will grow if the common man finds it useful,'' he says, explaining how rising demand can drive down the cost of this ecofriendly product. And he has support from those with first-hand experience.''If the government gave it a duty exemption, it would be a great alternative. I've seen an Earthsoul bag full of wet waste decompose completely in 30 days,'' says Indira Malkani, co-ordinator, Joint Area Action Group, a neighbourhood-level citizens' group at Malabar Hill. Bilimoria, meanwhile, continues work on making plastic less plastic and more soul. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------