Either empty limp and lifeless or stuffed and semi-filled, and invariably smothered in dirt, plastic carry bags, are the commonest form of litter in our public spaces. Too many and too low born to qualify for safe and scientific disposal, their shared destiny is to lie around indefinitely-one estimate is that it is for one hundred years- after possibly being shifted to a less conspicuous site.
But surely their numbers can be reduced by urging shop keepers to put away their own packaging supplies and use instead the clean alternatives we provide them from our own homes. If they can reuse the sturdy surplus bags whether plastic paper or cloth that we give them, the popular, thinner cheaper easy-throw variety will become irrelevant. Members of Aao Milo a collective of women residents of Shanti Niketan, decided to test this hypothesis when managers of three shops in South Moti Bagh market agreed to go along with their thinking and support its Reuse Recycle Reimagine campaign.
Satya Prakash Dubey, the manager of the Safal fruit and vegetable outlet and Kumar the owner of the South Indian store currently hand out the purchases to those who come without their own carry bags in donated paper , 51 plus micron woven and non -woven plastic bags. Shahid, the owner of Al Quresh, who sells various uncooked and semi cooked meat uses clean plastic boxes in which food was once delivered and ice cream packed.
The feed- back we have about customers who come without their own bags suggests that for many a gift bag is a non- issue. Some do become defensive when purchases are wordlessly handed to them in a brand advertising bag (aaj he laana bhool gaya) or amused as when sambar powder and pea nut chikki are bundled together in a snazzy Fly to Dubai carry bag.
As of now, a measure is in place, to reduce visible carry bag waste, outside the home.
