The Weight of Cloud Kitchens

The Weight of Cloud Kitchens is a book chapter by Sunil Abraham and Aasavri Rai, published in Silicon Plateau Volume 2, edited by Marialaura Ghidini and Tara Kelton and published by Institute of Network Cultures in 2018. The chapter presents an empirical investigation into plastic waste generated by app-based cloud kitchens in Bengaluru, revealing how these delivery-only restaurants circumvent Karnataka’s 2016 plastic ban and contribute to environmental degradation through packaging waste.

Contents

1. Publication Details
2. Abstract
3. Context and Background
4. Key Themes or Arguments
5. Full Text
6. External Links
7. Citation

Publication Details

👤 Authors:

Sunil Abraham and Aasavri Rai

📘 In Book:

Silicon Plateau Volume 2

📚 Editors:

Marialaura Ghidini and Tara Kelton

🏛️ Publisher:

Institute of Network Cultures, Amsterdam, in collaboration with The Centre for Internet and Society, Bangalore

📅 Year:

2018

🔢 ISBN:

978-94-92302-29-8

📄 Pages:

pp. 186–189

📘 Type:

Book Chapter

🌐 Project Website:

siliconplateau.info

📄 Access:

Download PDF (Chapter)

Abstract

The chapter documents an empirical study measuring plastic waste generated by 15 cloud kitchens in Bengaluru during June-July 2017. Despite Karnataka’s comprehensive plastic ban, these app-based delivery-only restaurants generated an average of 67.072 grams of waste per meal, with 46.89 grams being non-biodegradable. The authors argue that cloud kitchens pose unique enforcement challenges because they lack physical storefronts, making them difficult for authorities to monitor. The research exposes the environmental cost of on-demand food delivery services and highlights the gap between policy and implementation.

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Context and Background

The chapter is part of Silicon Plateau Volume 2, an interdisciplinary exploration of mobile apps and on-demand services in Bengaluru. Published as an art project and research series by the Institute of Network Cultures in collaboration with the Centre for Internet and Society, the book examines how apps impact urban life, labour, and the environment. This investigation was conducted in 2017, shortly after Karnataka’s 2016 plastic ban, and captures a critical moment in the growth of cloud kitchens—a business model that emerged as a cost-effective alternative to traditional restaurants by eliminating dine-in facilities and rental overheads.

Key Themes or Arguments

• Enforcement gaps: Cloud kitchens evade the plastic ban due to lack of physical presence and regulatory oversight.
• Empirical documentation: Quantitative measurement of waste reveals systemic violations across 15 platforms.
• Hidden environmental cost: The convenience of app-based food delivery masks significant plastic waste generation.
• Business model incentives: Cloud kitchens prioritise economic efficiency over environmental compliance.
• Scale and magnification: The study represents only a microcosm; the actual environmental impact is far greater.
• Policy implementation failure: Without sustainable alternatives and customer awareness, the ban remains ineffective.

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Full Text

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External Links

• Silicon Plateau Project Website
• Silicon Plateau Volume 2 at Institute of Network Cultures (Full book download option available)

Citation

If you wish to reference or cite this chapter, please use one of the following formats:

APA style:

Abraham, S., & Rai, A. (2018).
The Weight of Cloud Kitchens.
In M. Ghidini & T. Kelton (Eds.), Silicon Plateau Volume 2 (pp. 186–189).
Institute of Network Cultures. ISBN 978-94-92302-29-8.
https://sunilabraham.in/publications/weight-of-cloud-kitchens/

BibTeX style

@incollection{abraham2018weight,
author = {Abraham, Sunil and Rai, Aasavri},
title = {The Weight of Cloud Kitchens},
booktitle = {Silicon Plateau Volume 2},
editor = {Ghidini, Marialaura and Kelton, Tara},
publisher = {Institute of Network Cultures},
year = {2018},
pages = {186--189},
ISBN = {978-94-92302-29-8},
url = {https://sunilabraham.in/publications/weight-of-cloud-kitchens/}
}

MLA style

Abraham, Sunil, and Aasavri Rai. "The Weight of Cloud Kitchens."
Silicon Plateau Volume 2, edited by Marialaura Ghidini and Tara Kelton,
Institute of Network Cultures, 2018, pp. 186–189. ISBN 978-94-92302-29-8.
https://sunilabraham.in/publications/weight-of-cloud-kitchens/

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