[bendermon]

There are plenty of cost effective traditional alternatives. Banana leaves, hand made leaf plates, machine made leaf plates, in the worst case paper plates.

Plastics are just convenient and cheap, if the environmental costs are not considered.

Edible cutlery http://www.bakeys.com/

[geodel]

Banana leaves may be traditional and popular in southern India where banana grows aplenty. In Delhi banana leaves would be used in chic restaurants with traditional touch. It is no way going to be used by street vendors.

I have normally seen steel plates/spoon used by street vendors. Not very hygienic as they just rinse in water after use.

[slezakattack]

When I visited Nepal, a lot of the street vendors had these bowls made of leaves (perhaps banana leaf, not really sure). I have no idea if they are financially better off or cost effective but thought I'd mention that I've seen something like this before.

[mrkgnao]

Street phuchka vendors in Kolkata (they are what you call golgappas in Delhi) will hand you bowls made out of sal leaves. I wonder if that's the same as what you came across?

https://billandpaige.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/dsc_6462.jp...

[slezakattack]

That looks vaguely right. I remember it being a bit more richer green look to it but the shape and everything looks about right.

[mrkgnao]

Yeah, that's when they're fresh.

I think using dried leaves saves the trouble of having to pick them off the tree because they just fall to the ground, but I'm a city boy and wouldn't know for sure. Might have to ask my father! :)

[tn13]

I buy it on regular basis for religious functions as we don't use plastic in religious ceremonies to the extent possible. These alternatives are nearly 3 times more expensive and availability is a real issue. Not to mention the environmental impact of breaking branches of trees to get leaves quickly.

[geodel]

Yeah, many of bowls/plates are made up of mango tree leaves. All my childhood I have eaten village feasts on those leaves plates and earthen bowls for gravy/yogurt.

[kumarharsh]

North india also uses leaf plates, which upon usage, are normally disposed by feeding them to cattle (in villages, this is very common)

[65827]

Your idea of "cost effective" is quite different from an Indian street vendor.

[tn13]

Many of those alternatives are significantly more expensive than plastic and might be simply unavailable in Delhi.

[gumby]

Betel leaves work for the Pann wallah, but I'm not sure I want my pekoras the same way...