The residents of Delhi now have a choice and can restrict the use of plastic bags by using biodegradable jute bags as Mother Dairy, National Jute Board (NJB) and Birds Jute & Exports Ltd. (BJEL) have joined hands in a green venture to provide attractive, low-cost jute bags at the thousand-odd booths of Mother Dairy and Safal in Delhi-National Capital Region.

The venture is promoted by NJB and the bags are manufactured by BJEL and supplied to Mother Dairy for distribution at its booths.

Union Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar formally launched eco friendly jute bag scheme here yesterday.

Customers who buy various products from Mother Dairy and Safal outlets will also have the option of buying the jute bags, which are available in the price range of Rs. 25-Rs. 35 and are strong, washable and reusable.

Mother Dairy has placed an initial order of 20,000 jute bags - 10,000 units each for Mother Dairy and Safal. Based on the response of residents of Delhi/NCR, repeat orders shall be placed, the release said.

These bags are being supplied by BJEL on cost to cost basis; any profit earned in future will be passed on to the artisans and members of the WSHGs.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has on multiple occasions, tried to ban use of plastic carry bags in Delhi. However, they find these plastic carry bags continue to be used commonly. The indiscriminate use of polythene bags is one contributor to the pollution problem in the national capital.