Get discount, cash prize for carrying own shopping bag in Chandigarh

Sandeep Rana

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Chandigarh, July 4

Traders in different city markets are taking the lead in shunning single-use plastic by offering various incentives to those bringing own shopping bags.

A shopkeepers’ association in Sector 22 has started a lucky draw, while traders in Sector 46 are offering 2% discount to such customers. Also, shopkeepers in other sectors are planning to distribute or display a list of banned items to raise awareness among customers.

Will encourage other markets

Those coming with own cloth bag can take a selfie and send it to our WhatsApp number for the prize. This will make people aware about ban & encourage other markets as well Praveen Duggal Vishu, Chief, shopkeepers association, Sector 22

“All our shops have banned plastic. We are holding a lucky draw of Rs 1,500 (first prize), Rs 1,000 (second) and Rs 500 (third) every week for customers. Those coming with own cloth bag to our shops have to take a selfie and send it our WhatsApp number to win the prize. This is to encourage and make people aware about the ban. This will encourage other markets as well,” said Praveen Duggal Vishu, president, Shopkeepers Association, Sector 22 (Kiran theatre block).

“We have also put up 1,000-1,200 plant pots in the market for greenery and cleanliness. Posters have been put up with messages of keeping city green and shunning the use of plastic. We are doing so for our next generations. Chandigarh regularly witnesses temperatures of over 42 °C. If we do not act now, it may go higher like in the gulf countries. Plastic is poison,” he added.

Balwinder Singh, president, market welfare association, Sector 46, said: “Our market is offering 2% discount to customers who come with a cloth/jute bag. We earlier distributed 100 cloth bags to regular visitors to inculcate the habit. We must quit plastic, otherwise it will kill our environment.”

Similarly, Charanjiv Singh, president, Chandigarh Beopar Mandal, said: “We are going to distribute a list of banned single-use plastic items. We are also holding awareness drives.”

Shopkeepers’ initiative

Rs 1,500 First prize by Sector 22 traders in lucky draw to customers with own bags

2% off

Discount offer by Sec 46 shopkeepers for those coming with carry bags

What’s banned

• Ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, polystyrene
• Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as fork, spoon, knive, straw, tray, wrapping or packaging film around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets; plastic or PVC banners of less than 100 micron, stirrers