| Eco-Club, Malabar Christian College, Kozhikode, |
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1 year ago, when few students and teachers of Malabar Christian College, Kozhikode, decided to form an eco-club, many thought they would wind up their activities with a discussion on World Environment Day. But Convenor Mary Gladis Pavamani was firm that action was more important than words. And seeing the umpteen plastic bags floating in the campus, someone suggested to turn their effort towards eradication of plastic menace.
This suggestion too begot an action-oriented answer. The eco-club decided to make and market paper bags as replacement for plastic bags. “Do you know how easy it is to make paper bags. Just fold the newspaper into four and add a handle with coir and the bag is ready in 15 minutes,” says 3rd year Degree student Tina.
During train journeys to her home at Shornur, she receives inquisitive queries on the paper bag. And the efficiency of the bag is certified by Rajalakshmi, a teacher, who has been using the same bag for the past 6 months and who has been able to carry up to 5 kg load in it.
The bags are marketed through the co-operative store at the college. Ordinary bag costs Rs.5 while that made of gift-paper is sold at Rs.7.
15 students come everyday to the club office. Instead of idling their time in gossip and trivialities, the students are spending it on a good gesture. At the same time they are learning a skill.
Now no trace of plastic can be seen in the campus. No one brings polythene bags to the class. Many teachers and students from other institutions come here to learn about the ‘paper revolution’. And the members of the eco-club provide them free training.
“If we had restricted our activities to a seminar on that day, the campus would have continued to be a garden of waste plastic bags”, they comment.
Paper bag making in progress at eco-club
Courtesy: Ranjith Nair, Gruhalakshmi, September 2004
Contributed by: Administrator
