Kannur: Supporting Kannur-Waste Free initiative of collector Mir Muhammed Ali, retailers in the district have decided to open exclusive counters for shoppers to keep bags they bring. Besides, they will reward those using handloom shopping bags with surprise gifts. The project, announced on the social media, intends to enrol schoolchildren to promote the culture. Mr Ali said his recent visit to a few mangrove forests and rivers showed him their pathetic state as waste yards.
"Then the district administration realised the urgent need of educating or passing the information to the public and stop plastic waste polluting them further," he said. Students are told to collect ten plastic materials at home, wash, dry and hand them over to the school authorities who will send them for recycling.
"Unavoidable trash like online shopping covers, grocery packets and water bottles will thereby be recycled. Not just students, everyone can do it. You will find a list of scrap dealers on the website of Suchitwa Mission,” he said. The handloom bags are designed by students of National Institute of Fashion Technology and manufactured by the handloom cooperatives. “We will conduct first sales of the bags at collectorate soon,” he said.
