Does terracotta suit us down to a tea?
Alas, not, because like the villainous plastic, it is not biodegradable either.
By ET Bureau | Updated:
iStock
Most Indians would agree that one of the best things about train journeys once upon a time was the tea served up by vendors at stations, in terracotta ‘kulhars’, or cups. The smell of earth and hot tea had an incredible appeal, but, eventually, flimsy, cracklingly-thin white plastic cups pushed them out. However, with the Earth (and especially many of its non-human inhabitants) choking to death on plastic, terracotta — part of the ‘earth-to-earth, dust-to-dust’ philosophy of sustainable living — has been regaining popularity.
In that context, the discovery of thousands of conical clay cups — reminiscent of those used for phirni in India — at archaeological sites on the island of Crete in Greece must have come as a rude shock for many. After all, these earthenware containers, the ancient precursors to the accursed ‘single use’ plastic receptacles that now plague us, appear to have weathered 3,500 years with nary a crack or chip. That certainly does not bode well for their modern descendants being promoted as eco-friendly alternatives to disposable cups.
Of course, the average life of a plastic cup is far longer than a few millennia, but terracotta objects also last at least long enough to become museum exhibits because they are not biodegradable either. So, the billion-rupee question is: how on Earth can we drink our tea and save the Earth too?
In that context, the discovery of thousands of conical clay cups — reminiscent of those used for phirni in India — at archaeological sites on the island of Crete in Greece must have come as a rude shock for many. After all, these earthenware containers, the ancient precursors to the accursed ‘single use’ plastic receptacles that now plague us, appear to have weathered 3,500 years with nary a crack or chip. That certainly does not bode well for their modern descendants being promoted as eco-friendly alternatives to disposable cups.
Of course, the average life of a plastic cup is far longer than a few millennia, but terracotta objects also last at least long enough to become museum exhibits because they are not biodegradable either. So, the billion-rupee question is: how on Earth can we drink our tea and save the Earth too?
From coffee cup lids to the zip of your hoodies, plastic has acquired a place in every possible corner. To make things worse, only 9% of the non-biodegradable devil gets recycled.
Traditionally made from oil and gas, plastic is partly to blame for the climate crisis which Greta Thunberg has taken up a cause against.
While actively joining her protest might not be feasible for many, cutting down on plastic use may help make a difference.
Come 2020, take up a green resolution, and vow to cut down on plastic use with our top 5 tips.
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