While many Corporations have been campaigning for the use of alternatives to plastic bags to eradicate plastic, Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation in order to promote alternatives effectively, kick started the My Shopping My Bag Expo – 2017 in Coimbatore here on Saturday.

The two days expo which was inaugurated at the R.S. Puram Kalaiarangam by Corporation Commissioner and Special Officer K. Vijayakarthikeyan, saw exhibiters from all around the country showcase products including bags and vessels made of alternative materials.

“A total of 32 stalls have been put up for people to choose from different options. Most of them are startups from Chennai, Mumbai, Kerala, Assam, Coimbatore, Theni and other places where alternative products are made in group communities as a community development project,” said Antony Deepak, one of the volunteers of the event.

He further added that ambassadors of the Swachch Bharath joined hands with the Corporation in the making of the event.

Products including paper bags, jute bags, cotton bags, pencils made of newspaper wastes, plastics made of recycled plastic, coir baskets and flower pots, plates and other vessels made of areca leaves, paper making machines, reusable menstrual pads, bags made of water hyacinth leaves and ornaments made of coconut shells were displayed.

T.A. Anand, Manager of the Coimbatore District Welfare Association that is looking after a Senior Citizen’s Home said that the products made by the senior citizens are sold by the organisation as alternatives to plastic bags. “We have close to 32 inmates in the home and they make bags of plastic in the free time,” he added.

Sangeetha Jayakumar, another exhibiter who displayed bags made of Grey Gada clothes said that the bags were less expensive and can be used as multipurpose products. “There are different bags for different purpose. Some bags are made for grocery, some for general shopping and some are designed as handbags,” she informed.

Displaying pencils made by students with Autism, S. Menaka from Noyyal organisation said that such products also provided a financial support to children apart from providing an alternative growth.

K. Babu, one of the visitors to the stalls said that the expo was not only informative but also most required at a time people were looking for alternatives. “There are many people who do not know of alternative products. This will give a clear idea,” said Babu.

Inaugurating the expo, Commissioner Vijayakarthikeyan said that people should visit and make use of such opportunities.