In India, the post-rice harvest season has been causing major environmental issues due to the massive amounts of rice stubble that are burned every year. This problem has led to a polluted atmosphere and a grey sky, as seen by a young boy’s drawing. However, a Delhi-based engineer named Arpit Dhupar has come up with an innovative solution to this problem.
The Birth of Dharaksha Ecosystems
Dhupar launched Dharaksha Ecosystems, a company that converts rice stubble into biodegradable foam packaging instead of burning it. The farmers who sell their stubble to Dhupar’s company receive a payment of $30 per acre. Currently, Dharaksha Ecosystems converts 250 metric tons of rice stubble harvested from 100 acres of farmland in Punjab and Haryana into packaging material.
Biodegradable Foam Packaging Made from Rice Stubble
Initially, Dhupar had planned to use mushrooms to biodegrade the baled stacks of rice stubble, but he discovered that the fungus left behind a non-biodegradable metabolite. However, he realized that the filaments that make up the subterranean structure of mushrooms, called mycelium, were acting as a binding agent, transforming the baled stubble into something durable.
Through bio-fabrication, the company was able to create a material similar to polystyrene but biodegradable by using stubble waste. The biodegradable foam packaging is baked in the oven, making it hard and fire-retardant. The product can also tolerate high moisture content and is anti-static.
Advantages of Mycelium-Bound Stubble Packaging
The Advantages of Mycelium-Bound Stubble Packaging Dharaksha Ecosystems has prevented over half a million pounds of polystyrene from entering landfills since launching their product. They sell around 20 metric tons of their product every month, mostly to glassware companies. Their product has numerous exceptional properties, such as being laser engraved, fire-retardant, and anti-static.
Conclusion
Dharaksha Ecosystems has found an innovative way to address the rice stubble problem in India. By creating biodegradable foam packaging from rice stubble, they have not only helped to reduce pollution but have also provided a sustainable alternative to polystyrene packaging. Their success shows that sustainable packaging ideas can be both environmentally and economically viable.
