Karnataka - Bangalore

Green campaign has not bagged top spot yet

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Sensitising people: Go Green Bangalore volunteers distributing ecofriendly bags on Commercial Street in Bangalore.

Bangalore: The Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) initiative launched by National Geographic channel in Commercial Street in Bangalore to curb the use of plastic appears to have elicited a mixed response.

Though the volunteers of the campaign were distributing thousands of eco-friendly bags to shoppers as part of the drive, a number of shop-owners were found handing out goods and wares in plastic bags to their customers. The campaign, which began on November 2, is expected to continue till next Tuesday days during which the organisers propose to distribute 40,000 ecofriendly bags to shoppers.

Several shopkeepers were aware about the ill-effects of plastics, which are non-biodegradable. They were even willing to spend a couple of rupees of more for the environment-friendly bags. “Generally a plastic bag costs us between Rs. 3 and Rs. 5 but a paper or cotton bag can go up to as much as Rs. 12,” said Ramesh, a fabric shop owner. Several international brands, which have outlets on Commercial Street, too have shifted to smart-looking paper bags.

But, there also those who found the huge cost difference eating into their margins. “For me plastic bags are cheap and easily available. I have never given any thought to opting for paper or fabric bags,” said another shop owner.

A supervisor of a leading textile shop said they were planning to change the type of bags they provided. “We are currently reviewing the matter. We would like to provide the type of bags that would best meet the purpose of the initiative as well as customer convenience,” he said.

A number of shoppers told this reporter despite the campaign, many shops were still packing goods in plastic bags as they were less likely to tear. Not that all were concerned. For instance, Saleeth, who works with a BPO, said he did not mind getting good plastic bags.

As part of the drive, a couple of youth, attired in bright white T-shirts, were found handing out ecofriendly bags to shoppers and shopkeepers.

“So far it has been a successful campaign, people are appreciating our measure,” said Ajay Motwani, the spokesperson of Commercial Street Association, which has collaborated with the National Geographic Channel in the initiative.

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