Thiruvananthapuram: Children and parents are on a shopping spree ahead of the reopening of schools after summer vacations on June 1. With the rising awareness amongst public on the harmful effects of plastic, many parents have decided to say no to plastic products this time. As a result there is a variety of eco friendly products stacked up in markets to attract customers.
“Steel water bottles have replaced plastic bottles, cloth bags are being preferred in place plastic carry bags. Health and environment conscious parents are not ready to take any chances with the health of their children and do not want to add to plastic waste either. Hence the increasing demand for eco friendly products,” said a shopkeeper.
Government Secretariat staff cooperative society's ‘student market’ exhibition at YMCA offers all stationary requirements of a student for an entire academic year. Products ranging from school bags, books, pencil boxes, umbrellas, book covers to student files, rain coats and shoe polish are all up fro grabs and that too at reasonable prices. No wonder then the markets are filled with customers everywhere.
“Products here are reasonably priced compared to most retailers. But we do not compromise on quality. Our society has been conducting student market since past 26 years. We collect products directly from wholesalers and that's why we are able to sell at a lesser price than retailers,"said a member of the society. A 200 page notebooks here costs just '17 and '34 for a queen size book. Bags of some famous brands at much cheaper rates, steel bottles priced at '425 in retail shops are sold here '341.
