Gwalior: In a move to empower women and save the environment, the Gwalior Municipal Corporation (GMC) is all set to open carry bag banks across the city. These carry bags will be made by women of self-help groups (SHGs) aiming to reduce the use of plastic and polythenes.
The cotton bags produced by the SHGs will be bought by GMC.
It is expected that the carry bag banks will be operationalised in the city by next week.
PLASTIC: ENEMY OF HEALTH AND CITY
Many cases of animal deaths have been reported in Gwalior due to the consumption of plastic and polythene. Sometimes polythenes also block the drainage system. Following this, the municipal corporation has decided to open a bag bank.
WHO WILL MAKE THE BAG?
The women of self-help groups will make these cotton bags and will be purchased by the Municipal Corporation. However, the selling and the purchasing price of the bags have not yet been decided by the corporation. It is said that the objective of the campaign will only be achieved if the corporation provides these bags at a cheaper rate to the people.
Read: Facts, figures of plastic bags and more on International Plastic Bag Free Day
WOMEN WILL GET EMPLOYMENT
The opening of bag banks is an opportunity for many women who are linked with self-help groups. After the success of the pilot project, the bag bank will be set up at different places in the city. Currently, 50 women have been added to the first bag bank.
BIG CHALLENGE TO CARRY BAGS EVERYWHERE
Municipal Corporation Commissioner Shivam Verma said, discussions will be held with the business organizations of the city to supply the bags. After discussion, a marketing plan will also be prepared. He added that this would be a challenging task to provide these bags to every single hand.
THE SUCCESS OF ‘BAG BANK’ DEPENDS ON TWO THINGS
The success of the bag bank depends on two things. first, it should be available for every single hand and secondly, its price should be affordable to every citizen. If this plan of the municipal corporation proves effective it will be a boon for the environment as well as the human being.
