{
  "id": 8062475,
  "title": "Lalbaugcha Raja Switches To Bagasse Plates To Reduce Plastic Waste During Ganeshotsav",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/lalbaugcha-raja-switches-to-bagasse-plates-to-reduce-plastic-waste",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T16:56:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/lalbaugcha-raja-switches-to-bagasse-plates-to-reduce-plastic-waste-during-ganeshotsav"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai's Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh mandal has made an environmentally conscious decision for this Ganeshotsav, serving bhog on plates made from sugarcane bagasse instead of conventional single-use plastic. The eco-friendly plates, resembling thermocol, are derived from bagasse, a fibrous by-product in the sugar industry. Unlike plastic, bagasse tableware is biodegradable and designed to compost and return to the soil post-use, reducing environmental impact. With the growing trend of sustainable practices during the 10-day festival, Lalbaugcha Raja's move is expected to prevent the generation of approximately 1,580 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Shubham Tibrewal, Business Head of Food Services at Pakka Ltd, expressed hope that more mandals would follow suit, making the switch for their celebrations. Bagasse tableware, manufactured from sugarcane residue, offers an alternative to petroleum-based plastics and provides agricultural by-products with a new use. This initiative aligns with a broader effort to minimize waste during large religious gatherings, with several Ganesh mandals in Mumbai adopting measures like natural materials, reusable decorations, and artificial immersion ponds. Similar tableware has also been employed at other major religious events, including the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya, the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, and the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: Devotees visiting Lalbaugcha Raja this Ganeshotsav are being served bhog on plates made from sugarcane bagasse, as the iconic Ganesh mandal has moved away from conventional single-use plastic tableware. Eco-friendly plates at pandal The plates, which resemble thermocol, are made from bagasse, a fibrous by-product of the sugar industry. Unlike plastic, which can persist in the environment…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}