Get a meal in India’s unique garbage café | Fusion - WeRIndia

In a time when both plastic pollution and hunger are growing concerns, one small town in India has found a remarkable solution.

Ambikapur, a clean and progressive city in Chhattisgarh, is home to the Garbage Cafe, a place where people can trade plastic waste for a hot, nutritious meal.

This unique initiative is the first of its kind in India. Launched by the Ambikapur Municipal Corporation, the cafe aims to address two major issues at once: environmental pollution and hunger.

Instead of paying money, customers bring in plastic waste and exchange it for food. The idea is simple, yet powerful.

People who bring in 1 kilogram of plastic waste receive a full lunch. Those who bring 500 grams get a free breakfast.

Popular breakfast items include aloo chaap, idli, samosa, and bread chaap. Lunch is generous and wholesome.

It includes four rotis, two types of vegetables, dal, rice, curd, salad, pickle, and papad.

This system encourages people, especially the poor and homeless, to collect and deposit plastic waste.

It not only helps clean the city but also ensures no one goes hungry. The cafe plays a key role in Ambikapur’s larger goal of becoming a plastic-free city.

Importantly, this initiative supports the city’s reputation as one of India’s cleanest.

Alongside Indore, Ambikapur often ranks high in national cleanliness surveys. The Garbage Cafe adds to its innovative and people-friendly image.

Even those who don’t bring plastic can eat here at very low prices. A basic ₹40 meal includes rice, dal, plain vegetables, salad, and pickle.

For ₹50 or ₹70, diners get more items, including paneer curry and extra vegetables.

This thoughtful concept benefits both the environment and the needy. It gives plastic value while turning waste into a social resource.

The Garbage Cafe is more than just a place to eat; it’s a symbol of change, showing how simple ideas can create a big impact.

By combining sustainability with compassion, Ambikapur’s Garbage Cafe sets an inspiring example for other cities to follow.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on March 13, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1125480