Tuesday, September 25, was the day of Global Day of Action on Waste and city-based environmental group Thanal organised a fitting campaign against the plastic menace. As many as 10 volunteers of Thanal distributed around 3,000 paper carry bags to passersby and shopkeepers at Palayam as part of the ‘Bag tree’ programme.
A ‘bag tree’, comprising paper bags on its branches, was mounted in front of Saphalyam complex between 10 am and 12 noon on Tuesday. “We distributed free paper bags and pamphlets to vendors in Palayam market, Saphalyam complex and pedestrians at Palayam,” said Usha, director of Thanal. With the support of other interested parties, Thanal has plans to organise similar events in the city, which is reeling under a waste management crisis.
“Our study has revealed that around 370 crore plastic bags are discarded in the state every year. This is absolutely unnecessary,” said Usha, highlighting the need of paper bags.
Referring to the shops in Saphalyam complex, Usha said the medical shops and textile shops can use paper bags instead of plastic carry bags. “Instead of deploying Kudumbashree members for waste collection, their service must be used for decentralised waste management. Residents’ associations can make use of their service. We need such a system,” said Usha.
Thanal is also planning to introduce a directory of rag pickers. “I think it will be useful for residents’ associations for waste management,” she said.
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