Shoppers ready to pay for bags

WITH RISING HEALTH HAZARDS AND DAMAGE TO THE ECO-SYSTEM, PLASTIC WASTE IS PROVING TO BE A GROWING DISASTER. IN THIS SERIES, HT ANALYSES THE GRAVITY OF THE PROBLEM Youth not conscious of environmental impact of using plastic, say shopkeepers

NAVI MUMBAI: Despite being made to pay for plastic bags, there are very few shoppers who bother to carry their own bags when out shopping. In fact, most do not even mind shelling out money to purchase these plastic bags, claimed shopkeepers in the city.

Although the Plastic Waste ( Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, states that plastic carry bags cannot be made available free of cost, the rule has failed to change mindsets of people.

“Barely 25-30% of customers carry their own shopping bags, while most do not mind paying for the plastic bags. Also, only those above 40 appear to be conscious about avoiding the use of plastic. The youth is barely concerned,” said Bakhshish, a store marketing manager, Hypercity in Inorbit mall Vashi.

However, the only change that had been observed was that shoppers were now hesitant to ask for more than one plastic bag.

“Earlier customers would ask for more than one bag even for a single purchase. But now that has stopped,” said a store manager at a city mall. The price of these plastic bags, ranging from Rs3 to Rs7 depending on the size, may have managed to put a check on the number of bags that are demanded.

“I would often ask for extra carry bags after shopping or ask for bags for each item. Now I just ask for one big bag,” said Preeti Kumar, a Vashi resident.

To encourage customers carry their own bags and use less or reuse plastic bags, some stores and retailers have even tried to give credit points to customers who are environ- ment friendly.

“Customers who carry their own bags or do not ask for a plastic bag; get a bonus point on their discovery club card which can then be cashed,” said Bakhshish.

However, smaller retailers outside malls are yet to implement these steps to dissuade the use of plastic. With the lack

“Unfortunately, all people have understood is that they will be charged for asking for a plastic bag. However, they are yet to understand the larger implication of not using plastic and become environmentally conscious,” said another store manager.