The City Corporation, through its Go Green Expo at the Sree Chithira Thirunal Park here, is proving that old saris, newspapers and other seemingly worthless objects can easily get a fresh lease of life.
Apart from the sale of sustainable alternatives to plastic carrybags,the expo also features live demonstrations of how to make them.
The Live Upcycle Studio set up by the NGO Uphar teaches visitors to make paper bags out of newspaper, that can hold up to 5 kgs, while at the Thanal Zero Waste Centre’s stall, one can learn how to make ‘Pouch-bags’ out of saris.
The Pouch-bags, which are bags that can be rolled up into small pouches for ease of storage, can also be bought at the stall. One bag, which costs ₹40, can be bought for ₹10 if a sari is given in exchange. Upto seven such bags can be made out of one sari.
‘Purse bags,’ or bags that can be folded up to become a purse, are also on sale.
Bags and disposable plates and glasses made of bagasse are also available at the expo. The plates and glasses can be washed and reused upto three or four times before disposal.
Other attractions at the expo include pens, pencils, folders and jewelry made of paper, daily use objects made of coconut shell, bamboo and palm leaves.
Live demonstrations of the making of ‘Bhoomitra’ bags, pioneered by Nirmala Padmanabhan, of St. Theresa’s College, Ernakulam, and of ‘Ahimsa’ toys, recycled products developed by K. S. Subid, an alumni of Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, were held at the expo on Wednesday.
K. S. Subid will conduct another live demo next week, owing to popular demand. A demonstration of compostable bags is also included in the line-up.
The expo is on till March 7, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Police support
State Police Chief Loknath Behera has assured the full support of the police force for enforcing the Corporation's ban on plastic and non-woven poly propylene bags from March 1. The police will protect the Corporation’s health wing during its inspection of shops for this purpose.
