Sustainable practices in Indian households
In this world of excess everything, the noble Indian may not always get the credit they deserve for doing their part to be sustainable. Sure, we may waste electricity with the many hours we spend under a hair dryer, or pollute the environment by being chauffeured everywhere by our personal driver. But in other aspects, we are bending down to touch the Earth’s feet with how respectful we can be. Consider these examples:
WE SAVE PAPER
But not any old paper! Just the ones that have “A+” or “100%” written on it. All our good grades and top marks from school are saved to remind our parents why they had us in the first place when we inevitably disappoint them.
DRAWERS FULL OF PLASTIC
Washed takeout containers, old yoghurt cups, extra produce bags taken from the supermarket when weighing fruits and vegetables…these are not polluting the oceans. They are jumbled in a drawer ready to pack tons of food to give our guests when they come to our home.
MULTIPURPOSE BISCUIT TINS
If you thought you were going to find cookies inside, you would be sadly mistaken. Instead, you may unearth sewing supplies, old buttons, stationery items, coins, bangles, and any other objects you could think of. And why not, as these durable biscuit tins can be reused to hide anything you need safely, so what better place to stash all your love letters?
FRESH FLOWERS
You’ve definitely seen the bags of yellow marigolds and red flowers appear daily in your home mandir to put as offerings to the deities. Our extensive use of naturally-grown resources shows our commitment to the environment. And the flowers will decompose eventually when we throw them into the rivers and khlongs after we use them, right?
PRESERVING FURNITURE AND SERVEWARE
Other people may replace their big items the moment they show signs of wear and tear, but not us! We never even let it get to the point of being tattered, because we leave the plastic covers on couches and chairs indefinitely. Our fancy plates and teapots also stay holed away in cabinets and are only gently used to impress important visitors. Everything lasts forever in an Indian house!
EXPIRATION DATES ARE A SUGGESTION
Food wastage is a big problem in some societies but not in the humble Indian kitchen. Expiration dates are merely a recommendation that no one believes in. So what if the milk smells a bit off? We can always still use it curdled to make yoghurt or turn it into paneer.
SPICED JAM JARS
One day you’re scooping strawberry jam out of a glass container, the next day you’re unknowingly spreading jeera powder or green curry paste onto your toast. The versatile jam jar can be repurposed to store a host of spices and seasonings so you don’t have to run out and buy new vessels to keep your ingredients. How’s that for saving on consumerism?
MAKESHIFT CLEANING ITEMS
Nothing goes in the trash until it has reincarnated into many different lives. That old cotton t-shirt full of holes will turn into the perfect cleaning rag. Newspapers leave windows spotless and also serve as a perfect table cover for when peas are being shelled, beans are trimmed and garlic is peeled. But don’t even think about recycling the premium page of this column to clean the mirrors. It doesn’t work as well and will look better being put in a golden frame on display in your hallway.
An unreformed party girl and mother of two, writer, editor and observer Sumati Huber tries to make sense of our unique Thai-Indian society and the aunties that she will one day become.
