Things you can swap
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Sustainable single-use plastic alternatives.
Shopping
Packaging
Packaging
- Cotton or Jute Bags: strong, durable, and biodegradable.
- Hemp Bags: Made from the hemp plant, durable and sustainable.
- Baskets: Made from bamboo, rattan, or other natural fibers.
- Reusable mesh produce bags: ideal for fruits and vegetables, reducing the need for plastic bags.
- Compostable Bioplastic Bags: Made from renewable resources such as cornstarch or sugarcane.
- Recycled Fabric Bags: Made from repurposed materials, reducing waste.
Packaging
Packaging
Packaging
- Biodegradable Packaging Peanuts: Made from cornstarch or rice, dissolve in water.
- Vriksh Foam: A biodegradable foam alternative made from plant-based materials.
- Honeycomb Sheet
- Glass Jars and Bottles: A reusable alternative to plastic containers.
- Cardboard Tubes: A sustainable alternative to plastic tubes for packaging.
- Compostable Food Containers: Made from sugarcane pulp (bagasse), palm leaves, or bamboo.
Dining
Packaging
Dining
- Bamboo Cutlery: Biodegradable, compostable, and reusable.
- Stainless Steel Cutlery: Durable and reusable for long-term use.
- Bamboo Straws: A biodegradable alternative to plastic straws.
- Glass or stainless steel straws: reusable and easy to clean.Find a group near you and get involved.
- Glass Jars: Ideal for food storage, and can be reused indefinitely.
- Stainless steel containers: durable and long-lasting.
Craft
Other Uses
Dining
- Natural Adhesives:
- Rice Glue: An eco-friendly alternative to synthetic glues, biodegradable.
- Methylcellulose: A plant-based glue that is biodegradable.
- Eco-Friendly Paints:
- Natural Paints: Made from earth pigments, clay, and plant oils.
- Water-Based Paints: Low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds), reducing pollution.
- Bamboo Brushes: For painting, sustainable and durable.
Cleaning
Other Uses
Other Uses
- Dustbins: Stainless steel or bamboo bins with compostable liners.
- Garbage Bags: Compostable/plant-based bags or newspaper lining.
- Composting: Kitchen waste composter at home.
- Scrubbers/Sponges → Coconut coir scrubbers, loofahs, cellulose sponges.
- Mops → Wooden/bamboo handles with washable cotton/hemp heads.
Other Uses
Other Uses
Other Uses
- Cloth Diapers – Reusable diapers to replace single-use plastic diapers.
- Jewelry & Accessories: Crafted from recycled metals, natural stones, and upcycled materials like glass or wood.
- Hair Accessories: Bamboo combs, wooden hair clips, or silk scrunchies.
About Plastic-Free Adi Kailash Yatra
Overview of Yatra
The Plastic-Free Adi Kailash Yatra was a 90-km, weeklong by foot yatra. For an entire week from 5th Nov to 12th Nov, twenty-five spirited trekkers from across India journeyed from Darchula to Gunji and onward towards Adi Kailash, conducting trail clean-up drives, held awareness sessions in villages, army base camps, painted walls with slogans, created poster presentations, initiated conversation circles with fellow trekkers, and inspired everyone we met to rethink their relationship with plastic proving that sustainable travel can be bold, adventurous, and deeply rewarding.
Purpose
7-day, 100km Plastic-free trek that beautifully combines spirituality with sustainability, aimed at promoting and establishing a culture of plastic-free, eco-friendly trekking in the Himalayas.
Region
Darchula, located in the Pithoragarh district of the Kumaon Himalayas (Uttarakhand), is known for its snow-clad peaks, pristine rivers, rich biodiversity, and deeply-rooted mountain culture. It also serves as the gateway to Gunji Village, recognized as one of India’s Best Tourist Villages
Objectives of Yatra
- Set an example of how a long-distance Himalayan trek can be completed fully plastic-free.
- Create on-ground awareness among trekkers, villagers, and local communities about the impact of plastic waste on mountain ecosystems.
- Promote behavioural change by demonstrating practical alternatives to single-use plastic in challenging terrains.
- Highlight sustainable tourism and encourage responsible travel practices across the region.
- Build a community movement aligned with the Plastic-Free Sunday mission: reducing plastic use, Every Sunday
Outcomes of Yatra
- We proved that long-distance Himalayan trekking can be done 100% plastic-free, using simple swaps like steel plates, cloth bags, and refillable bottles home made dry snacks, sustainable toiletarry, no waste left behind.
- We cleaned 2 stretches of the trail, picking up plastic waste left by tourists at Bundi and Gharbyal and setting a visible example of responsible trekking for others on the route.
- We inspired local villagers and fellow trekkers, through on-the-spot awareness talks at every village we visited, painted 20+ walls cereating awarness.
- We built a stronger community mindset, where participants supported each other in staying plastic-free, managed waste together, and shared sustainable living tips that they can continue at home.
- We showcased a working model of eco travel, proving that with planning and commitment, anyone can explore the mountains without harming them and this model can be replicated across future treks and tourism routes.
Plastic-Free Practices Followed on Yatra
- All meals served in steel & reusable plates (no disposables).
- No packaged snacks or plastic bottles are carried.
- Refilled water from natural streams & homestay kitchens.
- Waste audit conducted at each halt.
- Sustainable toiletries were carried by each yatri.