A plant that has long been a menace to India’s lakes and rivers is now being turned into something useful. Scientists at Delhi University have figured out how to transform water hyacinth into biodegradable shopping bags and plant pots—offering a green alternative to plastic.
For years, Eichhornia Crassipes have clogged waterways– cutting off sunlight, reducing oxygen levels, and harming aquatic life. But now, instead of being a problem, it’s becoming part of the solution to plastic pollution.
The process wasn’t easy. After months of trial and error, researchers found a way to extract fibers from dried hyacinth and treat them with plant-based binders. The result? A material which is strong, flexible, and looks and feels like a normal plastic but decomposes naturally in a few months—without leaving any harmful traces behind.
Tests show these eco-friendly bags can carry up to 5 kg, even in damp conditions, which are a solid alternative to conventional plastic bags. The plant-based biodegradable pots are even more impressive—they break down when placed in soil and release nutrients that help plants grow, acting as a manure. Currently, production is at 2,000 units per week, and nearly 50 hectares of water bodies have been cleared as part of the harvesting process.
The benefits go beyond just reducing plastic waste as the water quality has improved in cleaned areas, fish populations are significantly increasing, and native plants are starting to thrive again. It’s not just about making eco-friendly products—it’s also about restoring equilibrium to local ecosystems.
The manufacturing process is refreshingly simple. Workers collect the plants using boats and nets, dry them in the sun, and then process them into fibers. These fibers are mixed with organic binders to create the final product. Because it doesn’t require complicated machinery, even rural communities dealing with water hyacinth problems could adopt this
method.
The Ministry of Environment has already taken a keen interest by supporting its expansion into more affected regions. The cost of production is competitive with other biodegradable options, and now several retailers have placed large orders for these eco-friendly bags.
And this is just the beginning. Scientists are now testing the fibers for use in food packaging, farming materials, and even construction. If just 30% of India’s water hyacinths were repurposed this way, millions of plastic items could be replaced every year.
This project is proof that with the right approach, an environmental problem can be turned into an opportunity. By repurposing an invasive species, researchers are tackling two major issues at once—plastic pollution and ecosystem damage—by creating something practical and sustainable in the process.