Paper bags distributed among vendors

PATNA: Volunteers, organisations, and students came together to promote sustainability on World Environment Day on Monday. Focused on promoting alternatives to plastic, they took the initiative to distribute paper bags among vendors in various parts of the city.
The flower market near Patna Junction radiated with vibrant hues as five young volunteers from ‘The Soft Move’, a non-profit organisation, distributed 2,000 paper bags among flower vendors. The volunteers from city colleges distributed 100 paper bags each among 20 vendors in the market area for free.
“For World Environment Day, our aim was to make an impact at the grassroots level. Since last year, we have distributed over 12,000 paper bags in Patna among vendors who cannot afford to buy them,” said Dwishojoyee Banerjee, founder of the non-profit organisation.
“It felt great to promote sustainability and educate others about plastic pollution. The joy in vendors’ eyes when they received paper bags made our day,” said Sonal Dubey, the team coordinator and a student of J D Women’s College. Interns and volunteers of Tarumitra also distributed 2,500 paper bags made by students of various schools among owners of 50 shops at Digha bazar on Monday.
“To beat the heat, a shop owner offered our volunteers cold drinks in disposable plastic glasses. The volunteers ensured that the plastic waste is to the MRF facility in Gardanibagh for recycling,” said Darshan, volunteer-coordinator at Tarumitra.
Undergraduate student Pragya Bharti from Supaul has launched an eco-friendly startup aimed at providing employment opportunities to women.
Her venture utilizes waste banana stems to create handicraft products and repurposes liquid waste for liquid fertilizer, while the solid waste is converted into vermicompost.
“We witnessed the struggles faced by people during the Covid pandemic, which prompted us to explore new business opportunities. After removing the banana stem juice, the remaining solid residue is transformed into wall hangings, home accents, coasters, and bags. These products are then decorated with Mithila paintings, adding a distinctive Bihari touch,” Pragya said.