While people are thinking of life after plastic, members of self-help groups (SHGs) in Tiruvannamalai municipality have been quietly working towards creating eco-friendly alternatives.

The municipality is now setting up a permanent market to bring these products to the people, and at the same time, provide a market for the SHGs.

Range of products

In the last two months, the SHG members have been focusing on providing people with alternatives to disposable plastic. Among the list of products are cloth and paper bags, plates made of areca nut leaves, and tea cups made of clay and coconut shells.

“We are making efforts to do away with the use of disposable plastic before the ban comes into effect. As part of this, we trained 100 members of SHGs to manufacture alternative products. This will also provide them with a source of livelihood. Some of them are making products made out of paper, jute and porcelain. There are members who are making wire bags and jute office files,” said S. Parijatham, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai municipality.

Training provided

The members underwent training in September. This was followed by an exhibition of the products made by them. Since then, the members, belonging to various SHGs, have been working on the alternative products.

In fact, a few of them are trying out tea cups made of coconut shells after undergoing training. “This requires plenty of work. They are taking up door-to-door collection of coconut shells. They have to wash the shells thoroughly and paint them. It takes time to make the handles. As of now, they are making 20 cups a day,” she said. Ms. Parijatham said that the municipality was now coming up with a permanent market for selling these products. “This will be a market in which any SHG member can come, display and sell the alternative products. This way, people can also get these products at one place,” she added.