What’s inside:
Indian Railways is introducing biodegradable plates for serving food on select premium trains starting March.
Railway passengers are set to enjoy a cleaner and safer travel experience. Starting from March, Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will serve food in biodegradable plates instead of traditional plastic ones on select premium trains, including Vande Bharat Express.
These new plates are made from natural materials like fruit and vegetable peels and paper, which are completely safe for the environment. If this trial phase goes well, the use of biodegradable plates will be expanded to more premium and long-distance trains.
This change will also be implemented on trains that run from Indore. Railways has been working hard to eliminate plastic waste from its operations, and this initiative is a significant step in that direction.
Currently, the railway generates a large amount of disposable plastic waste every month due to serving food to thousands of passengers daily. By switching to biodegradable plates, the railway aims to reduce the burden of waste and also lower carbon dioxide emissions.
The biodegradable plates decompose into soil within three to six months, in contrast to plastic plates that take years. With this shift, the risk of microplastics contaminating the environment and affecting human health will also be minimized.
Summary:
- Biodegradable plates will replace plastic ones on select trains.
- First phase starts in March with Vande Bharat Express.
- Focus on reducing plastic waste in railway operations.
- Plates decompose in three to six months.
- Helps in lowering carbon emissions and environmental safety.