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In a world in which single-use plastic is becoming increasingly frowned upon, disposable plastic cutlery and crockery could soon be relegated to the past.
Which is probably what encouraged eco-loving women Shaila Gurudutt and Lakshmi Bheemachar to bite the bullet and leave their IBM Jobs to start eco-friendly zero-waste edible cutlery brand EdiblePro in 2018.
Lakshmi told The Better India: “After working for nearly 28 years in a 9-5 job, I wanted to make a difference to society. We have all taken environmental resources for granted, and it is high time we give back. With that intention, I joined Shaila.”
The Bengaluru-based startup employs a workforce of local women, and now manufactures products made from millets, grains and pulses that are directly sourced from local farmers. It's wares are available in 80 varieties, colours and flavours, and are rich in fibre and protein when eaten.
The edible tableware range includes spoons, knives, forks, bowls, plates and cups, and comes with a long shelf life as well as the ability to hold their form when used for hot or cold dishes and drinks.
Edible cutlery was recently featured on the History Channel, see how it's made:
Both the sweet and savoury flavours are hard to resist, and the products biodegrade naturally in a week, unlike plastic which takes nearly 500 years.
Edible cutlery is not a new phenomenon, but the sector is predicted to grow. According to Business Insider, the global edible cutlery market was valued at $24,860.0 thousand in 2018, and is expected to reach $56,970.4 thousand by 2026.
So, it seems these women might also have made a wise entrepreneurial move from their desk jobs.
