Proliferation of plastic is one of the main sources of urban pollution. To reduce the pollution due to plastic carry bags, MGP, as a part of "Save Mysore" campaign, got about 5000 cotton carry bags made and gave it to the public at cost. To tackle this problem at the source, we talked to the biggest department store in Mysore, More Megastore on Narayana Shastri Road on how the use of plastic bags can be reduced. The management was extremely cooperative and promptly procured environment-friendly jute bags and kept them in full view of the customers near the cash payment-cum-packing counters (See Photo). They are available at a reasonable cost and can be reused them every time the customer visited the Megastore.
Unfortunately, very few customers have picked up these eco-friendly bags for packing their items. Instead of reducing plastic use, many customers want their purchases packed in as many plastic carry bags as possible. Old habits die hard.
It is time all of us become more responsible and reduce the use of plastics. As Mahatma Gandhi said: "You be the change you want to see".
Vasanthkumar Mysoremath, Mysore Grahakara Parishat