Zero-Microplastic Paper Cups in Varanasi

Varanasi sits on the banks of the Ganga, and the Namami Gange programme has placed enormous focus on reducing pollution flowing into the river. Disposable cups discarded along the ghats, at railway stations, and from the thousands of street food vendors in Godowlia and Vishwanath Gali contribute directly to solid waste that can reach the river. PE-coated cups are particularly problematic because they cannot be recycled with paper — waste pickers discard them, and they end up in landfills or waterways. Pratva's re-pulpable aqueous-coated cups are collected by kabadiwallas alongside newspaper and cardboard, keeping them in the paper recycling loop and out of the Ganga. For BHU's hospital and canteen network, for the boutique hotels along the ghats, and for Varanasi's famous chai stalls, it is a switch that protects both health and heritage.

Every standard PE-coated paper cup releases approximately 25,000 microplastic particles into hot beverages. Pratva’s aqueous-coated cups are CPPRI-certified to contain zero plastic film — meaning zero microplastic shedding, full re-pulpability with normal paper waste, and compliance with FDA 21 CFR and FSSAI food safety standards.