6

DISPOSABLE PLATES FROM

BANANA LEAVES

INTRODUCTION
Disposable cutlery and containers are products that are a part of our day-to-day life. Disposable items like cups,
plates, saucers are being increasingly used. Such disposables items are made with natural materials like leaf as well
as manmade products like paper, plastics. Leaf cups, plates have greater hygiene value. Cost-wise also it is cheaper
than plastic and other plates. It has good demand in urban areas.

Banana leaf plate making is a state-of-the-art to develop biodegradable and compostable alternatives to
petrochemical based plastics and polystyrene. From carrier bags to cling film, cutlery to cups, medical trays to plant
pots, there is a crucial crusade against non-degradable plastics. A biodegradable product is one that’s broken down
safely and relatively quickly by microbial activity into C02, Water and Biomass - that’s bacteria, moulds and fungi.

The length of time it takes for biodegradable products to break down can vary a lot. So claiming a product is
biodegradable does not guarantee how quickly it will be reduced to these three constituents.

Leaf plate products are biodegradable, disposable, hygienic and inexpensive alternatives to conventional
paper, plastic or reusable (metal, ceramic, plastic) plates and bowls. Developed in India, Leaf plate products have
been used for many years for serving dry or moist foods at roadside food stalls or small restaurants in rural or urban
areas, and at large gatherings such as weddings and receptions. If they are used for dry foods, the leaf plates can be
reused.

Leaf plate products can be made from a variety of partly dried biomass derived from trees and plants, e.g.,
Areca or Manila palm spathe, banana leaf and its pseudo-stem, and leaves of Butea frondosa, Tectona grandis,
Butea monosperma, and Madhuca indica among others that are common to the tropical areas of Asia, Africa,
Central and South America. Smaller leaves can be sewn together to make larger plates and bowls. Leaf plate
products can also be used as packaging for short-term storage or shipping of a variety of goods. These products will
retain shape and rigidity for long periods if stored in low humidity environment.

Banana leaf plates is best described as a revolutionary product and is strong just like the ordinary pulp paper
plates and are made from natural, bio-degradable product. This leaf plates is popular among those who appreciate
the concept of using a natural plate material in an original and organic way.

Disposable cutlery and containers are products that are difficult to avoid. There are times when reusable cutlery
is not practical or allowed (i.e. airplanes) and while remembering to take one’s own containers to takeaway places
(or even restaurants for left-over) is an admirable goal, it’s not one that we’re all likely to achieve any time soon.

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61 Handbook on Agro Based Industries

These leaf plates are used in India for festivals and weddings and one can see why. They’re flexible and one
can hold it with one hand to squeeze it together a little to keep things secure, however the hand needs to be
underneath as it will just bend if it is hold by the edge with something heavy on it.

Other disposable food service accessories made in India are made from areca palm leaves, sal and siali leaves,
etc. in India, where they have been used for centuries at festivals and weddings. Making the plates is a popular
activity In all groups of people especially at small-scale level, with many women working on them at home for extra
income or these are sold through proper channel.

The Banana disposable leaf plates are sure to enhance the look of the dining table. Disposable trays,
disposable bowls and cups can also be made using different mould size. These products can be manufactured with
the best quality leaves and are distinct in style. These are the perfect pieces, used for serving any occasion, party,
gatherings or grand party. These plates can be easily disposed and are environment friendly. Environment friendly
products helps to keep the environment clean and make the planet good to live. Worldwide environmentalist
recommends Eco friendly products and banned the usage of plastic plates, tumbler and other things made of plastic.
Disposable plates and cups are the day today need of man in daily life. These are increasing used in hotels, fast food
restaurants and canteens in offices and factory. There is no alternative to disposal cups and plates on occasions like
wedding and entertainment parties. Temple Prasadam is also largely distributed in disposable containers .In the
coming days such use will grow enormously. Presently most of the disposable containers are made from plastics
and paper. But the use of plastics is either discouraged or banned because the cause environmental pollution.
Hence banana leaves as an alternative material, offers great usage and health environment. These Banana leaf
plates are a versatile and fully biodegradable and compostable material that requires no chemicals, resins or dyes.
It’s hygienic, lightweight, strong and water and heat resistant; so it’s suitable for frldge/freezer storage and
microwave and oven cooking (up to 220 degrees). The leaves are green and shiny like and the shiny side of the
leaves face up (the underside is quite soft) so it does hold liquid to a degree. These plates are itself very strong, and
hot, cold, heavy and sloppy foods are easily coped with. These are great for parties and barbeques.

PROPERTIES OF BANANA LEAF PLATES

1. Environment friendly, disposable, easily compostable, and biodegradable.

2. They are resistant to heat, cold, fats, and all types of liquids.

3. They are tasteless and odourless in nature.

4. They cannot be contaminated from outside.

5. The bacterial contamination is non-existence in plates because of only once use and then they are
disposed.

USE AND APPLICATION OF BANANA LEAF PLATES

Banana leaf plates are promoted as a completely environmentally friendly product. Leaf plates are being
increasingly used in urban areas during marriage parties, festive occasions when large number of people are invited
to take food. Besides, many people prefer leaf plates as they consider them to be more hygienic than manmade
products.

Utility: Used to serve foods / pack eatables

Area of Usage: All catering purposes such as In Hotels, Restaurants, Fast Food Centres, Functions, Parties,
Picnics, Get together, Travelling, Outdoor Catering, Homes.

RAW MATERIAL DETAILS Uses of Banana Tree

Banana plantations are traditionally maintained to produce the obvious, bananas. Banana is a fast growing and
high biomass-yielding plant. But now environmentally friendly banana paper, banana leaf plates, banana fibre is
being made from banana palm. The stem is composed 92% of water, 3% of resins and 2% glucose, the rest is

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 62 Handbook on Agro Based Industries

vegetal fibre. It has a good potential, alternative resource to the fiber industry also.
There are many opportunities related to the commercialization of such products:
• It is a market not yet exploited to its full potential
• There is a growing market for green products
• There is an ever-growing environmentally awareness
• Developed countries show more concern for the environment
• Little competition from similar products.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF BANANA LEAF PLATES
The making of banana leaf plate Is an art by itself. The same procedure is followed in making these leaf plates
just like the other natural leaf plates. The main steps involved are cleaning the leaves and then getting the shape by
mechanical press or hydraulic press with heated metal mould. The heat produced by pressing also sterilizes these
leaf plates, which are very hygienic to use later on. The shapes of these leaf plates can be Round, Oval, Square,
Rectangle, and Hexagonal as the shape of the die mould taken. The size can vary from 100 mm - 300 mm.
PROCESS STEPS
The main process steps are -
• Gathering leaves from market

• Cleaning the leaves

• Giving it a definite shape in machine

• Packaging in bundles with packaging material

Description
• The banana leaves are collected from farmers or purchased from the market.
• At the factory these leaves soaked in water for about half an hour. While in water it is brushed, cleaned, and
purified.

• After cleaning properly it is taken out and kept separately allowing it to dry.
• The dried sheaths are inserted in heat pressing machine (Manual operated & Hydraulic operated) where
relevant shape metal mould fixed and pressed on the sheath to get different shapes & sizes. The heat
produced by pressing also sterilizes these leaf plates, which makes them hygienic to use. The folding,
trimming and shaping are done in a single operation through the machine by pressing of the pedal.
• It is again kept separately allowing to dry completely.
• The Plates are trimmed and again cleaned.

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