Researchers at IIT Roorkee’s INNOPAP (Innovations in Paper and Packaging) Lab in collaboration with Parason Machinery India, Aurangabad, have developed a process to transform wheat straw, an agricultural residue often burned after harvest into eco-friendly tableware. By creating a mechanism to convert wheat straw into tableware the team has potentially innovated a safe, compostable, durable, heat-resistant, food-safe, and sustainable alternative to plastic.
India produces more than 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste annually, a large portion of this waste is either burned, worsening air quality and contributing to climate change, or left to decay. The solution introduced by INNOPAP Lab would not only reduce pollution but also equip farmers with an additional source of income, creating a circular economy model that turns waste into wealth.
Cellulose Application in Wheat Straw Tableware
The idea behind INNOPAP Lab’s solution is geared toward replacing single-use plastic by creating products that decompose within the soil itself. It utilises wheat straw because it contains a high cellulose content, about 40 to 50% , which is important for achieving the required strength in order to produce tableware.
We are currently working on producing a cushioning material to replace the regular packaging material used in packing electronics
Cellulose provides strength, while the hemicellulose and lignin components are necessary to bond the cellulose fibers together. One kilogram of straw provides about 400 to 450 grams of pulp, warranting a considerable supply of wheat straw to produce the products in bulk. The pulp molding technology can create multiple products, including tableware (two-, three-, or five-compartment plates), general packaging material, and single-use plates and cups.
Building Real-Word Sustainable Solutions
The INNOPAP Lab project directly aligns with India’s commitment to Swachh Bharat Mission, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The product embodies the philosophy of ‘Mitti se Mitti Tak’ originating from the earth, serving people, and returning to the soil without causing harm.
Terra Robotics Secures $2.1M to Scale Laser Weeding Tech for Sustainable Farming
Vibhore K. Rastogi, Associate Professor at Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee is the leading researcher behind the project. Along with Professor Rastogi, Jasmine Kaur (PhD student) and Rahul Ranjan (postdoctoral researcher) made important contributions to the development of molded tableware.
This innovation reflects IIT Roorkee’s commitment to addressing challenges that matter most to society.It is an excellent example of how science and innovation can bridge the gap between the laboratory and real-world impact.
The research is a perfect demonstration of how everyday crop residues can be processed into high-quality, eco-friendly products. The project is an exhibition of the potential that science and engineering can deliver to create solutions that are both environmentally sound and economically viable.
Rice Straw Tableware
In 2023, S. Pavana Deepthi, of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh, along with D.D. Smith, Sreenivasula Reddy Boreddy, and Haribabu authored a research paper titled “Development of Biodegradable Tableware from Rice Straw by Using Different Plasticizers.” The study explored the potential of rice straw as a raw material for producing biodegradable and compostable tableware.
Their findings, highlighted the use of sorbitol and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as effective plasticizers, for transforming agricultural residues into sustainable alternatives to plastic disposables.Two years later, IIT Roorkee’s INNOPAP Lab wheat straw based biodegradable, compostable, and food safe tableware, following this progression toward practical applications.
Edible Millet Straws as Plastic Alternative
In 2024, researchers at IIT Roorkee developed edible straws made from barnyard millets as an alternative to plastic and paper straws. While paper straws have gained traction as an alternative for plastic ones, studies have raised concerns about their potential health risks due to presence PFAS, or forever chemicals, which contain carbon fluorine bonds that are harmful for human health. The millet straws have strong durability to support structural integrity in liquids, rivaling traditional plastic straws while providing the potential health benefits of barnyard millets.
The development of the wheat straw solution is the latest potential advancement exploring sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic tableware, reflecting industry alignments to further such solutions.