A company based in Bangalore, India has developed shopping bags that look like plastic but are, in fact 100% organic, biodegradable and eco-friendly. These ‘EnviGreen’ bags are made with natural ingredients that include potatoes, tapioca, corn, vegetable oil, and bananas. The raw materials, which are sourced from local farmers, are first converted into liquid form. They then undergo a six-step procedure to produce the end result. Absolutely no chemicals are used, and even the paint on the printing of the bags is natural and organic. The bags take less than 180 days to biodegrade naturally once they have been discarded. Better still, they are even edible, so in addition to causing no harm to the environment, they will also not harm any animals that may ingest them.

Several Indian cities have implemented a partial or total ban on the sale and distribution of plastic bags over the last few years. Whilst this is undoubtedly a good thing, there were no plans in place for alternatives. People who could not afford cloth bags, or forgot to bring them to market, struggled to carry their products home. The EnviGreen bags offer an affordable solution that helps consumers to find a balance between their concern for the environment and some convenience in their daily lives.