EzySpit: A portable, eco-friendly way to end spitting in public places

Visit any government building in India and you will find several corners of the structure marred by tobacco and betel stains. As much as Indians love their paan and gutkha, they are yet to learn to not spit in public spaces. In the past, governments in various states have tried imposing fines to rein people in, but it is yet to show commensurate results. The menace is not only detrimental for the maintenance of cleanliness but is also a health hazard as it may attract harmful organisms like mosquitoes and flies. On the other hand, consumers of paan and tobacco express their compulsion as garbage and trash cans are not present everywhere.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, spitting in the open or in public spaces has become a careless habit which might lead to the virus spreading. In April 2020, the Union health ministry directed states to prohibit people from spitting tobacco in the open as it might lead to more people contracting the disease. A missive to states by the ministry stated that chewing smokeless tobacco products like paan or supari produces saliva and hence, a strong urge to spit. Spitting in public spaces can cause Covid-19 cases to spiral, the ministry added.

However, when fines and repeated warning have failed is there a more concrete and practical way to discourage this habit? The answer is yes. EzySpit is a recycled and portable spittoon for people to spit. Touted to be one of its kind of product in the world, is eco-friendly and socially responsible as it is re-usable. The USP of this product is that it locks the microbes present in your saliva in the eco-friendly spittoon within seconds. Moreover, it can be used up to 30 times. The product is among the most effective ways which one can reduce the risk of contracting diseases like Covid-19.

Launched in 2018, the product is the brainchild of Nagpur-based entrepreneur trio Prateek Malhotra, Ritu Malhotra and Pratik Harde. The three were inspired to find a way to end the menace of spitting in public spaces after learning that the Indian Railways spends crores every year to get paan and tobacco stains cleaned in railway stations and trains. The product has also been lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata and Niti Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar in the past.

The three youths believe in designing products that aid a sustainable lifestyle while empowering local communities. They are also advocates for responsible development and supporting the community while ensuring a sustainable future for the coming generations.

It works on a very simple principle. When the user spits into EzySpit, the pulp present at the base of the pouch solidifies the saliva within a few seconds. The organisms present in the saliva are immediately locked, preventing any toxin or infection from spreading. Not only is it tamper-proof, but is also spill-proof and odor-free. You can always replace the pouch by buying a refill. It is durable, light in weight and completely bio-degradable.

Made of polymer, paper and pulp, the product is available in two sizes, one is a pocket-sized one and the other one is a mobile variant. The pocket-sized variant of EzySpit can fit inside your shirt pocket and can be easily carried around. The mobile variant or the EzySpit glass is shaped like a coffee cup and can is also portable. The EzySpit glass is also available in two variants – one is for the general public and the other is for those who work in hospitals. The company claims that the product can help in curbing the spread of diseases like swine flu and tuberculosis.

Another product launched by the company is the EzyVomit Bag. It is a portable pouch for those who often experience motion sickness or nausea while stepping out of their homes. With the product, you will never have to be embarrassed for throwing up in public or clean vomit in cars.  Sporting a compact design, it is made of eco-friendly raw materials and is easy to use. The company also manufactures a special kind of eco-friendly trash can EzySpit Bin, which is meant for public use in open spaces. It works on the same principle as EzySpit and can be put up in open spaces.

If you are looking for another option, then Tufcup’s portable spittoon bottle is an alternative. It is spill-proof and is a great product for a pregnant woman. It is collapsible and is leak-proof. Tufcup spittoon bottle can be folded to one-third of its height. It is made of silicone and can easily fit cup holders in cars. The product is ergonomically designed and has a non-dripping seal at the top. It is not only eco-friendly but is also germ-resistant and anti-bacterial and is completely free of BPA.