Eco Bags Exchange [EBX] Programme is a pioneering methodology developed to solve the problem of proliferation of low grade plastic carry bags. It is estimated that a city like Delhi uses and discards about five hundred thousand bags each day. As things stand, retail outlets have to succumb to customer demands to provide plastic bags, which according to the recent directions of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi are illegal. The problem is exacerbated by the customer habit to not carry a bag. And the final obstruction is due to the high cost of organic or re-usable bags.

 The EBX process solves all three problems, and costs neither the retailers nor the customer.

Methodology: These bags are supplied under the specific program under the brand name of Eco Bags Exchange Project or the E-Bag Exchange project under which People’s Action supplies bags at values of Rs 5, 10, 15 and 20 which can be bought by customers at retail outlets but can be returned at any time for a full refund.

This scheme and process is patent-filed in favour of Sanjay Kaul* and we supply bags only against the practice as outlined above. It is also a remarkable scheme where neither the customer, nor the retailer bears any cost for providing the eco-friendly option to buyers. [Click here for the process details].

Our bags, particularly low-end varieties, are stitched by women of weaker sections of society and these provide sustainable employment to them.

It remains our endeavor always to satisfy both ends of the social spectrum - provide employment to the needy and rid the city of the scourge of plastics. We look forward to a long term association with all environment conscious organizations so that our commitment to reduce use of plastic bags is achieved to the benefit of the city, the state, and indeed, the planet.

*Under arrangement with People’s Action.
© Sanjay Kaul 2008