Ever since Pause Café opened in Mumbai earlier this year in March, they have adopted a sustainable approach to their operations. It comes in the form of their serve-ware, delivery packaging and consumables. The only exception till now, says Rohit Dadlani, co-founder of the Bandra-based café, has been the plastic used for packaging cold beverages but even that they are already in the process of changing with a better alternative. “We are in the process of replacing those with corn-starch cups, which provide similar utility and a seamless customer experience while aligning with our commitment to sustainability,” he adds. 

The city café is one of many eating establishments across India that have started consciously looking at being eco-conscious in recent times. The older ones are doing it in phases that started a few years ago. While it does form an interesting marketing gimmick for the brand, many of them are clearly way past that because it is no more just about the perception of the restaurant but also how they are putting it all into practice, otherwise it doesn’t take long for people online to criticise them – and honestly, nobody wants that today. At the end of the day, diners want to see effort, even if it is in a small way. As Priti Jha, director of operations at Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport in Andheri highlights, "it’s not just about the planet, it’s also about our guests. Today’s travellers are more eco-conscious than ever, and they appreciate knowing their stay supports responsible practices."

Every year, World Environment Day is observed on June 5 around the globe, and this year the theme is “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution”. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), over 460 million metric tons of plastic are produced every year across various industries. Over that, approximately 20 million metric tons of plastic litter end up in the environment every year. Now, the numbers are staggering and for many it is beyond our imagination. While we all know that plastic affects the environment, the issue also arises from the fact that it is not discarded properly.