No plastic, only eco-friendly carry bags at Golden Temple

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 1 

The SGPC introduced eco-friendly compostable carry bags at Golden Temple from Sunday. This initiative has been taken in collaboration with the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). 

SGPC chief secretary Dr Roop Singh said to preserve environment, special bags made from starch granules derived from maize and potato have been put to use for carrying ‘karah parshad’ or ‘pinni parshad’ at the Golden Temple.  The ‘pinni parshad’ packing, which was offered in polythene bags only, too has been replaced with eco-friendly bags. 

Around 15 quintal bags are required at the Golden Temple in a month. The first consignment of 18 quintal bags has been arranged by the PPCB from Gujarat.

Four firms have been designated by the Centre for supplying eco-friendly carry bags conforming to ISO standards. 

Dr Singh said only 2 quintal bags could be arranged on Sunday whereas the rest of the consignment will reach on Monday.  “The partial lot of first consignment has been airlifted from Gujarat, whereas the rest of 16 quintal is expected to reach us by road on Sunday. Thereafter, the SGPC will arrange the bags on its own. We have called up executive body meeting to decide upon how to go about it,” he said. 

Presently, the compostable bags are little expensive in comparison to ordinary plastic bags. Dr Singh said, “In the wake of environment preservation, the SGPC will never mind spending a little extra. Moreover, SGPC’s move to take a lead in introducing eco-friendly bags from the Golden Temple will spread the message worldwide.” 

PPCB chairman KS Pannu said efforts were on to produce these granules in the country.  “At present, imported granules were being used to manufacture these bags, but we are trying to produce these granules in India as there is plenty of availability of maize and potato,” he said.