Greater Noida : How many times have we stepped out for a quick purchase and ended up coming home with yet another plastic bag? Greater Noida seems to have finally found a smart and sustainable answer to this everyday problem.
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In a refreshing step toward going green, the Greater Noida Authority (GNIDA) is planning to set up cloth bag vending machines at some of the busiest public spots like Jagat Farm, Alpha 1 and Alpha 2. Imagine walking into the market, forgetting your bag, and simply picking up a reusable cloth bag at the press of a button. Convenient, right?
The best part is that the Authority itself won’t be spending a dime. Instead, a private agency will run the show, maintaining the machines, managing payments and ensuring that the supply of bags never runs dry. To keep things affordable, the bags will be sold at nominal prices, and the agency might even tap into CSR funds or revenue from sales to keep the project sustainable.
But this isn’t just about having bags on demand. These cloth bags are durable, reusable, and biodegradable everything single-use plastic isn’t. And when such eco-friendly options are readily available in our daily markets, it encourages people to adopt better habits.
Why saying goodbye to plastic bags matters
While convenience has made plastic bags popular, their hidden costs on health and the environment are alarming:
Toxic exposure: Plastics often contain harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates. When food is packed in them, these chemicals can leach into what we eat and affect hormones, fertility and even child development.
Air pollution: When burnt, polybags release poisonous gases such as dioxins and furans, which can cause respiratory diseases, skin problems, and even cancer over long exposure.
Water and soil contamination: Plastic doesn’t degrade easily. It breaks down into microplastics that enter water, soil and eventually our food chain, damaging not just the planet but also human health.
Threat to animals: Stray cattle and street dogs often swallow discarded polybags while scavenging for food, leading to intestinal blockages and even death.
Residents want action too
Residents are already welcoming the cloth bag initiative, but are quick to point out that just making alternatives available isn’t enough. Strict checks on those still selling single-use plastic are equally important.
If the wholesalers and retailers of single-use plastic are penalised, the use of plastic bags will automatically reduce and people will shift to cloth bags.
Alok Singh, Resident, Alpha 1
- Big changes begin with small steps. Here’s how you can contribute:
- Always carry a cloth or jute bag when stepping out.
- Politely refuse plastic bags, even if offered for free.
- Reuse and recycle, don’t throw away cloth bags after just one use.
- Encourage shopkeepers to stock eco-friendly alternatives.
- Spread awareness, remind your friends, family and neighbors of the dangers of polybags.
The move may be small, but its impact could be big. After all, sustainable cities aren’t built in a day, they’re shaped by little changes like this that eventually add up to a cleaner, greener tomorrow.