8440 metres high! That’s a point on Mt. Everest, where researchers found piles of plastic left behind by mountaineers. It appears there is no place on Earth that hasn’t seen the scourge of plastic. Indeed, hill stations around the world are affected by this issue, as tourists come and go with no regard for the environment. People carry single-use plastics like biscuit wrappers and soft drink cans, and litter the hills and mountains with them. This affects the hills in a myriad of ways. On one hand, it can affect the delicate ecology of the hill by changing water drainage and supply patterns. On the other hand, animals that inhabit the hills may consume the plastics leading to a slow and painful death. One simple solution to this problem is biodegradable alternatives like areca palm leaf products. The next time you go on a picnic or trek, you know what to do!