Garbage Cafe: India’s First Restaurant Accepting Plastic Waste as Payment

Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh – In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at combating plastic pollution and promoting sustainability, India’s first “Garbage Cafe” is making waves by accepting plastic waste as payment for meals. Located in the clean and green district of Ambikapur, this unique concept provides free meals in exchange for plastic bottles or other waste, making it a beacon of environmental and social innovation.

Visitors can exchange 1 kilogram of plastic waste for a wholesome lunch that includes four rotis, two types of vegetables, dal, half a plate of rice, salad, curd, pickle, and papad. For half a kilogram of plastic, the cafe offers breakfast options like aloo chaap, idli, samosa, and bread chaap.

For those who don’t bring plastic waste, the Garbage Cafe offers affordable meals at nominal prices. A basic thali costing ₹40 includes plain vegetables, rice, dal, pickle, and salad. For ₹50, customers can enjoy a more diverse thali with additional rotis, papad, and vegetables. A premium option for ₹70 features paneer curry alongside other items.

This initiative is part of Ambikapur’s larger cleanliness campaign, as the city strives to eliminate plastic waste while ensuring no one goes hungry. Known for its cleanliness and often ranked among the top cleanest cities in India, Ambikapur’s Garbage Cafe is a testament to its commitment to sustainability.

A Win-Win for the Environment and Society
By encouraging citizens to collect and trade plastic waste, the Garbage Cafe not only reduces environmental pollution but also addresses food security. It has become a symbol of innovation and hope, inspiring other regions to adopt similar measures to tackle plastic pollution.