What Our Grandparents Knew About Sustainability

Sipping chai from a kulhad (clay cup) or cooking on a chulha (earthen stove)? These aren’t just memories; they’re sustainable solutions we need today.

Do you remember your grandmother’s rituals?

Forget plastic! Kulhads (clay cups) are making a comeback, thanks to their eco-benefits. Made from locally sourced clay, they’re biodegradable and leave zero waste, unlike plastic or paper.

Chulha

Chulhas were once the heart of rural kitchens. These earthen stoves, fueled by firewood or cow dung cakes, provide an eco-friendly way to cook, reducing electricity reliance.

Neem twigs

Instead of plastic toothbrushes, our ancestors used Datun (neem twigs). With antibacterial properties, they’re great for oral health and help reduce the 150 million plastic brushes trashed monthly.

Sal or banana leaves

Enjoying a sadhya on a sal leaf or pani puris on banana leaves is a great idea! These biodegradable leaves, once common in Indian homes, are making a comeback to cut down on waste.

Once used for packing grains, jute sacks faded as plastic took over. But they’re durable, reusable, and a key part of the sustainability movement today.

Cloth bags

Our grandparents upcycled old clothes into shopping bags. With plastic bags now a menace, this simple, sustainable habit is an easy way to reduce waste.

Milk steel containers

Before plastic pouches, steel containers were used to collect fresh milk. Reusable and chemical-free, they’re a sustainable alternative to today’s harmful plastic packaging.

Kansa utensils

Kansa, a copper-tin alloy, was used for serving food due to its Ayurvedic benefits. It aids digestion, boosts immunity, and keeps food fresh.

Ditch synthetic scrubs and brooms! Coconut coir scrubs are biodegradable, while sturdy palm brooms, made from coconut branches, are perfect for indoor and outdoor cleaning.

Coconut palm brooms