Thiruvananthapuram: Corporation’s cloth bag scheme a big hit

Thiruvananthapuram: The city corporation not only preaches, but also practises the Green Protocol ideas it has propounded to bring down the plastic waste generated in the state capital.

The cloth bag manufacturing units set up by it to make available eco-friendly products to replace single-use plastic carry bags have become a huge success with around 30,000 cloth bags being sold.

According to officials, the civic body has received bulk orders from leading business establishments, educational institutions and even the neighbouring district.  Currently, around five manufacturing units are functioning at Valiyavila, Kannamoola, Nettayam, Ulloor and Muttada.

"We have employed around 80 women workers and our aim is to ensure a steady income to them. Increasing the number of units will not help," said health officer Sasi Kumar. The civic body was planning to upgrade the unit at Pongamoodu as the corporation's main production, distribution and sale outlet.

"We are planning to start screen printing at Pongamoodu unit. We will customise the products with the logo or message as per the requirements of the buyers," he added.

A city school has placed a bulk order for cloth bags as part of the green initiative. "We will distribute cloth bags to all staff and children of the school on October 8 and around 1,200 bags have been ordered for the purpose. This is to create awareness among the children and their family members," said Stanley Varghese, PTA president of Holy Angels CBSE School.