a Cafe in Junagadh is cashless. It is practicing the ancient system of barter. In a world where the ethical value of plastic is rapidly declining, this Gujarati cafe is treating plastic as if it were money. And in many ways, it’s money.
Here at the Natural Plastics Café, one kilogram of plastic waste can be traded For a plate of Dhokla. For a pound of plastic, patrons can get a free drink ranging from a glass of orange to lemon soda.
“All the plastic collected in the cafe is given to a local agency which recycles it,” Rekha said.Benone of the owners. his 21 year old daughter meets him on the counter when they see the bustling dining area,
Three women who managed government initiatives whipped Nutritious food and snacks like Dhokla, Aloo Paratha, and Idli which are a taste of home. They abstain from refined flour, take fresh vegetables and use oil judiciously.
According to Rekhaben, around 15 customers bring plastic waste from bottles, plates, containers and cutlery. instead of food every day, Each consignment is weighed on a machine and a patron can open a ‘tab’ if it falls below 500 grams.
,If Customers bring only 300 grams, we note it, they can take their free food and Received More plastic in a day or two,” says Rekha with a grin.
Free home food is a hook that draws customers to Natural Plastic Cafe over and over again,
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a government initiative
The cafe is the brainchild of Junagadh Collector Rachit Raj. Which one? Is One part of government initiative raise the public Awareness about the need to reduce plastic consumption And recycle it whenever possible. government Free building provided, “We spent Rs 1.5 lakh to prepare it and make it more attractive,” said Junagadh sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Bhumi Keswala.
The government is banking on creating more awareness among citizens. Gujarat ji in 2019-20Yield About 28% or 24.85 LMT of hazardous waste in the country. Recycling that year was also low: of the 24.85 LMT generated, only 12.25% was recycled. Compare this with Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, which produced 9.99 LMT and 9.64 LMT respectively in 2019-20.
The cafe, which can seat 10-15 patrons, is run by three women. while Rekhaben takes care of the kitchen, Vaishali and Sim: handle up to and to participate in of customers Requirements,
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welcoming atmosphere
Diners have enthusiastically embraced this ‘waste for food’ philosophy. Any item on the menu that doesn’t cost more than Rs 100 is another draw. Though it’s only three months old, word has spread immediately, And the cafe is rarely empty.
Yogesh (27) is one such ‘regular’, and Dhokla is his favourite. “The best part is that the food is homey, healthy and cheap. Apart from this, the initiative to provide food for plastic is also unique. I have already told many about this outlet,” he said, taking out his phone to take a picture of a painting on the wall. His friend, who is visiting the cafe for the first time, is focused on the plate of dhokla.
one of the most popular items gujarati thali Which one? 100 is in Rs. “It’s classy,” said a customer dipping his bread in a bowl of lentils. colored plate prevent Comes with vegetables, salad, rice, small bowls of papad and a glass of fresh buttermilk.
Staff Practice what they preach and use natural materials wherever possible. There is no trace of plastic in the cafe or kitchen. The basket is made of jute and the plates and glasses are made from clay with a brown glaze.
“People love the food as well as the concept. We also sell earthenware,” says Rekhaben while serving potato parathas to a customer, Lalita.
This is Lalita’s first visit to the cafe, and Helike other customers, can’t stop rave about welcoming atmosphere And Delicious Meal. “I had come to Junagadh for some work, and was looking for a place to eat, when I saw a big yellow and brown board on the road. Reading ‘Nature Plastic Cafe’,
Rahkaben says many first-timers don’t believe that there is actually a cafe that offers food in exchange for plastic. At the end of the day, plastic waste is loaded onto a rickshaw and taken to a recycling centre.
When she first heard about the cafe, 20-year-old Shweta couldn’t believe it. “Then I came here and saw that it was all true.” She began collecting every abandoned and broken plastic item she could get her hands on. “And the next time I went, I brought enough plastic waste for two free plates of dhokla.”
(Edited by Tarannum Khan)