Coimbatore : As Coimbatore gears up for the plastic ban from January 1, an expo in the city will be offering a host of alternatives. There will be around 40 stalls which will display plastic alternatives at Manjappai expo to provide sustainable alternatives to plastic usage. These stalls showcase eco-friendly cutleries, bags, gifts to decorative items.

It aims to provide alternatives and substitutes to disposable plastic and thermocol products – plates, spoons, cups, glasses, bowls, and containers.

The two-day exhibition from October 27 will be held at the corporation’s Kalaiarangam in RS Puram. from 27th to 28th October 2018. Startups, big companies and students are expected to take part. The focus will be on alternatives to food packing items and bioplastics and show case cloth bags, paper boxes and leaf plates among others. A student will display her machine which segregates organic and inorganic waste.

Raveendran, an organiser, said, “Hoteliers and caterers are travelling around the globe to find a sustainable eco-friendly option for plastic. Hence, we decided to bring the alternatives to Coimbatore itself. They can choose, negotiate and place an order with the manufacturers. The exhibition is open to entrepreneurs interested in starting a new business, looking for a new idea or interested in taking a franchise.”