We are what Madras needs.
Plastic Free Madras began in 2017 as two people refusing plastic bags. It is now an alliance of individuals, businesses, organisations and policy-makers — and, since February 2019, the packaging partner to 368 customers who have sensibly moved away from plastic. Together they have replaced 12.4 lakh single-use plastic items.
Founded by an environmentalist couple.
Photographer Pradeep Sekar and Divya started Plastic Free Madras in 2017. What began as awareness drives on beaches and in apartment complexes grew into a practical question every restaurant kept asking us: “Then what do we use instead?”
So we built the answer — a supply of food-grade, compostable and reusable packaging sourced from small-scale industries and women-led units in India, with none of it imported. Trusted by brand owners, government entities and foundations, we have been:
- Educating kids in schools and colleges
- Plastic and carbon auditing for businesses
- Composting set-up and waste-management solutions
- CSR activities and city-wide campaigns
Numbers we're proud of.
Every campaign, expo and stall is another few hundred people who now think twice before picking up plastic.
Expos, pop-ups and stalls.
The “Don't Mess With Madras” campaign travels to expos, markets and college fests with cloth bags, glass bottles and a lot of conversation.
What Chennai has read about us.
Refuse. Reuse. Reduce. Recycle.
Anything and everything you do makes an impact — and there is an unexplained joy in giving. Here is where to start.
Say NO to plastic
Carry your own cloth or paper bag when you shop. Keep a spare in the vehicle. Refuse the straw, the spoon, the carry bag — every single time.
Adopt alternatives
Choose biodegradable or compostable products in place of plastic cutlery, carry bags, garbage bags and packaging. If you run a business, switch your takeaway.
Spread the word
Tell your friends, family and society why plastic is harmful and what they can do. Volunteer for a weekend class, write a blog, run a stall with us.
Your time is worth more than money.
Your money might buy a lot of things, but your time and effort make a huge impact on the place you love — and on you. Even the smallest help makes us better: write a blog, handle a social account, take a weekend class for kids about plastic.