Go Green

Every problem brings with it its own set of solutions. Just like the ban on polythene bags gave way to paper and cloth bags. “But then,just like all solutions are not 100 per cent foolproof,here too there is an area of discrepancy for the core properties of a polythene bag are missing,” points out Naveen Sharma,president of International Society for Cooperative and Development,bridging the gap and bringing in a technology to manufacture eco-friendly poly-bags from corn,to India.

Having tied up with South Korean scientist Dr Khang Sung for the purpose,Sharma says,the bag is ideal for garbage disposal. “Made from corn polymers,they look and feel like plastic but are 100 per cent biodegradable and compostable,” Sharma tells us that in composting conditions of sufficient oxygen and humidity this plastic takes about 47 days to biodegrade and in that of bin of a park,about an year. Made from corn starch,options for making the same from potato or sugarcane starch too are being explored,he says. “This will make the product more reasonable as raw material can be changed according to the climate,” Sharma says,for starters the bags will be priced 25 per cent higher than the normal polythene bags.

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As for the USP of the eco-friendly poly-bag,”It will cause no harm even if consumed,” chips in Vinod Manchanda,as he tears a piece and puts it in his mouth. “It dissolves easily,” he says,this time round turning his attention to other products made from the technology — cups,cutlery,food containers and toys,”With heat tolerance of corn cutlery upto 70 degree,they have to be kept out of direct sunlight and in a cool dry place. But even if it melts in the food or your child bites the toy,it will cause no harm,” assures Dr Khang Sung,adding that the technology got the Technical Innovation Award 2009.

With an expected investment of Rs 20 crores,”after getting clearance from the government the installation of the unit in the region will take another six months,” Sharma says that they will also supply pellets to existing polythene making units to produce eco-friendly polythene bags. Now,this sure is good news for people protesting the use of polythene bags and those making it!