The Union Railway Minister, Laloo Prasad Yadav's decree, banning the disposable cups and making kulladhs (earthen cups) compulsory in trains and at railway stations across the country, is being examined by environmentalists and the good it would do to the environment.

Questions are being asked about whether kulladhs are really biodegradable even after the bio-content of soil and the micro-organisms get destroyed due to baking at high temperature.

The issue of earthen pots taking a huge toll due to excessive demand for soil, which supports vegetation and is found in agriculture fields is being raised. Also the fuel wood such as agriculture waste being burnt to bake the earthen pots would cause pollution.
On the positive side, as earthen pots originate from the earth's clay, it thrives as a nearly inexhaustible natural resource.

Furthermore, the clay mining process is virtually harmless to the environment, and a small mining site may be used for more than a century. After they have been depleted, clay pits can be converted into reserves or lakes for sport, recreation or conservation use.

Unlike other materials, earthen pots create little waste when it is manufactured. Mining one pound of clay produces nearly one pound of brick with only slight moisture and mineral loss. Disposing of these wastes requires additional energy, adding to the environmental impact of manufacturing.

The amount of energy needed to produce earthen pots is lower than most competing building materials. Pot manufacturing can conserve more energy in another way as well if earthen cups and pots can be recycled through an inexpensive crushing process. Crushed chips may then be used as landscape material or reground to manufacture new pot and quality brick.

Citizens are becoming more environmentally conscious than any generation before. Like it or not, a trend is underway towards purchasing more natural products. If an opinion poll is conducted most of the citizens are likely to identify themselves with environmentalists, therefore Laloo Prasad Yadav's order has established a rapport with all the citizens.