LUCKNOW: The massive shortage of carry bags created by the ban on polythene since July 15 has led shopkeepers to adopt a variety of bags which are 100% biodegradable.These bags, which will replace polythene bags less than 50 microns in density, have been approved by the government and certified by ISO (International Organization for Standardization). However, there is still lack of awareness among locals about these alternatives. Roopal Singh of Nishatganj said, “I generally get my own bag for shopping to make minimum use of plastic bags but I still haven’t heard about biodegradable plastic bags being provided by shopkeepers.” She adds that the government should launch an awareness campaign about such carry bags.The bags are currently being manufactured in Mathura and have started reaching areas like Narhi, Kaiserbagh, Nishatganj, Janakipuram and Mahanagar. Shopkeepers said that very soon, these biodegradable bags will flood the market. Padmalochan Goswami, a wholesale polythene bag dealer in Kaiserbagh, said, “There are two sizes of biodegradable bags provided by the governmen . One is a mediumsize plastic bag which comes for Rs 400 per bundle (350-375 pieces) and can take weight of up to 2.5kg. The second category is of large bags which come in a bundle of 300-325 pieces and can carry up to 5.5kg weight. They come at the same price.”When shopkeepers buy these bags, they add a profit margin and ultimately, a consumer has to pay up to Rs 5 for a bag. A similar bundle of polythene bags, meanwhile, came for Rs 150-200 in the wholesale market and the burden on the consumer was lower. (By Srishti Srivastava & Pranchal Srivastava)

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