Alternative way: Sugarcane pulp, bee wax bags strive to replace polythenes

A Delhi company, which gets raw material from an USA firm, GXT, prepares these bags using Calcium Olefinic Glucosate (COG), the contents being sugarcane pulp and bee wax.

Eco-friendly bags made of sugarcane pulp and bee wax have emerged to replace the polythene ones for residents in the city.

The Chandigarh administration has recently come down heavily on the use of plastic bags. After being informed about the use of plastic in the non-woven bags, which were being used as an alternative to the plastic bags, the administration had sought a certificate of their biodegradability following which some traders have found a substitute – ECOgrade bags.

A Delhi company, which gets raw material from an USA firm, Global Exchange Technologies (GXT), prepares these bags using Calcium Olefinic Glucosate (COG), the contents being sugarcane pulp and bee wax.

Sugarcane and bee wax bags. Express

Though these special bags appear and feel like the plastic ones, the company manufacturing these has got printed on it “Not a plastic bag”. The name of the company, its website and its certification also forms part of the label.

For traders, ECOgrade bags are a good business model. “These are cheaper than non-woven bags. These cost us around Rs 3-Rs 4 per bag depending upon the size. At the same time, we also get a plastic-free environment,” said Manav, a trader at a store in Sector 9.

He added,”We got to know that the non-woven bags have plastic in them. Therefore, we switched over to the ECOgrade bags.”

Vishal, another trader at Sector 11 said, “Owing to its firm nature, these bags are good to carry frozen products and heavy material. They are not damaged soon like other bags.”

Story continues below this ad

According to the distributor of the ECOgrade, the demand for these bags has increased in Chandigarh. “Earlier, only a few shopkeepers were buying these bags. Now the demand has increased in Chandigarh and Rajasthan following the strict enforcement of plastic ban,” said Mohit, who represents the Delhi company that claims to be the sole distributor of these bags.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram