On Wednesday, Rotary Club Panchkula conducted a drive across the city where they provided biodegradable bags to street vendors at subsidized rates to promote environment protection and sustainability. The club reached out to more than 200 streets vendors and 10 shopkeepers where they stressed the need to use biodegradable bags to make the general public more aware about the environment.
“Plastic pollution is killing us. Our goal is to encourage street vendors to use biodegradable bags to reduce plastic pollution and ensure a safer environment.” Said Ashwani Mittal, club President Rotary Panchkula.
As part of this initiative, the club has made these bags available to street vendors at affordable prices. ‘While brainstorming initiatives, one of our members suggested us to spread awareness on biodegradable products. We sold these bags at Rs. 140 per kg to street vendors and shopkeepers with our brand name on it.Club members also educated vendors on the benefits of using biodegradable bags and we were happy to see a positive reaction from the buyers who could purchase these bags at a cheaper rate than plastic ones.’ Said Ashwani Mittal.
Mittal further added that street vendors have contacted the members to buy more bags for their businesses. This project is being conducted in collaboration with “I Hate Polythene.” Anuj Aggarwal from “I Hate Polythene” expressed, “We hope this initiative will be a significant step towards environmental conservation in the city.”
‘We have many such initiatives in store and they will be all set to action by next week. It is important that people learn about environment protection and sustainability before it is too late.’ Concluded Ashwani Mittal.
Along with President Ashwani Mittal, this project received special support fromSecretary Rohit Singla, former President Praveen Goyal, and members Anurag Aggarwal, Anuj Aggarwal, Ashok Chadha, N.K. Singla, Yash Singla, and Keshav Singla.