“We are encouraging customers to avoid plastic bags and use cloth bags,” says vegetable vendor Manishaben Patel
Surat, (Gujarat) [India]: Under the government’s ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ campaign, significant steps have been taken in Olpad to curb the increasing use of plastic. As part of this initiative, a special vending machine has been installed in the Olpad market to promote the use of cloth bags instead of plastic ones. Customers can obtain a cloth bag by inserting a ten-rupee coin into the machine.
To protect the environment from the harmful effects of plastic and take a step towards cleanliness, vegetable vendor Manishaben Jagdishbhai Patel shared her insights on this initiative. She said, “Earlier, most customers used to ask for plastic bags, but now people are gradually turning towards cloth bags. If any customer forgets to bring their own bag, they can easily get one from the vending machine, which will certainly reduce the use of plastic.”
Under the ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ campaign, this initiative aims to increase awareness among local vendors and customers about the benefits of a plastic-free campaign. Manishaben further added, “We are appealing to all customers to avoid using plastic bags and encouraging them to opt for cloth bags. This campaign, along with the installation of the vending machine, is a positive step towards making Olpad and surrounding areas plastic-free, giving people the opportunity to participate in environmental conservation.”
This initiative in Olpad market is a significant step forward for the ‘Swachh Bharat’ mission, as it not only promotes cleanliness but also raises awareness about environmental protection through the use of cloth bags.
