One waste problem, one overlooked resource
Plastic sacks pile up
Rice, pulses and other produce are mostly packed in plastic sacks. After use they become plastic waste that pollutes soil and water.
Karuvelam goes unused
Karuvelam (Prosopis juliflora) is an invasive tree found widely across Tamil Nadu. Its bark is rarely used as a fiber.
EcoWeave connects the two: a tree that is easy to find becomes the material for sacks that can replace plastic.
How EcoWeave works
Four steps from tree to sack. Tap a step to read it.
EcoWeave vs plastic sacks
What we aim for, and what we still need to prove.
| Plastic sack | EcoWeave sack | |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Plastic (petroleum-based) | Karuvelam bark fiber |
| After use | Stays as plastic waste | Designed to biodegrade |
| Raw material | Fossil fuel | Invasive tree, widely available |
| Strength | Well established | Testing is our next step |
| Cost | Low today | To be worked out in the prototype stage |
We list strength and cost honestly as open questions. We will publish results once we test.
Who it is for
Farmers, farmer producer organisations, rice and pulse mills, and agri traders who pack produce in bulk.
A local supply chain also means local work: bark collection, fiber processing and weaving.
Our roadmap
- Fiber sampleDone. We have a Karuvelam fiber sample.
- Strength testsNext. Check how strong the fiber is.
- Prototype sackWeave and stitch a first sack.
- Farmer pilotTry the sack with real produce and get feedback.
Questions people ask
Is the sack tested yet?
Not yet. We have a fiber sample, and strength testing is our next step.
Why Karuvelam?
It is invasive, grows widely in Tamil Nadu and is rarely used for fiber, so it is a low-cost local raw material.
Is the sack biodegradable?
It is made from natural bast fiber, which is designed to biodegrade, unlike plastic. We will verify this as we build the prototype.
Can I try it on my farm or mill?
Yes. Join the pilot list below and tell us what you pack.
Team
Third-year B.Tech Information Technology students at Sethu Institute of Technology.
- Vishali G
- Shakthi Nethra S
- Nishanth M
- Yuvaraj T
Join our pilot list
Farmer, mill, trader or mentor? Tell us who you are.