Reducing plastic waste has always been an important aspect of human evolution. But sometimes, we do things that don’t make much sense, thinking it benefits the environment. An example is paper straws packed in plastic covers with tetra packs of juice and other beverages. Similarly, suppose you are hoping to reduce plastic pollution in food packaging. In that case, replacing single-use plastic cups with paper cups may not be a solution, according to the Scientists at the

University of Gothenburg. Their new research shows that a paper cup causes as much damage to nature as a plastic one, as they both contain toxic chemicals.

Clearly, we need alternatives, especially in a country like India, which has a population of 140 crore people. A new initiative from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee is gaining more attention in this regard. Researchers at IIT-Roorkee, Uttarakhand, claim that they have successfully developed the country’s first Kodo millet-based edible cups to promote sustainable and cost effective packaging. The team has dedicated their achievements to the United Nations as 2023 has been declared the International Year of Millets (IYoM-2023).

The cup not only provides a great alternative in terms of green initiatives but also Kodo millets, which are rich in protein, iron, and dietary fiber with high antioxidant properties. They are widely grown in states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. Congratulating the IIT Roorkee team, we present this year’s special issue based on the alumni of the institute.