Web of Life

Rajkot (Gujarat), October 13, 2005

A young woman in Rajkot district of Gujarat has developed an innovative method to provide a solution to hazardous polythene waste disposal by weaving decorative items out of it.

Dolls, wall hangings, fancy purses and pouches, mobile covers, tea coasters and table mats, all made out of discarded polythene bags of various colours, are just a few of the items on her list of knick knacks.

Parul Desai, the innovative lady, is determined to fight the ever-looming threat of polythene- -pollution finding a use for plastic bags that would otherwise be dumped. Working with knitting needles she embarked on a quest to save the environment from the ecological menace of the toxic, non-degradable plastic bags.

"It's an effort from my side towards the society and environment. I want everyone to do the same with plastic bags. It will not only help in checking the pollution levels but a number of animals be saved as many of them die after consuming plastic bags," says Parul.

The items prepared from plastic waste look very attractive and durable.

Many want to learn the skill from Parul which she happily imparts free of cost. Today her students include housewives faced with the problem of plastic bags disposal.

Kalpana Shah, a housewife from neighbouring Baroda said Parul has shown the way to dispose off plastic bags and also a chance to earn some money. "I'll go to Baroda and teach others about this art. It is a very good way of disposing plastics. This way the waste will be utilized and it will also create opportunities for women to make some money. Therefore I'll teach the art to others after I learn it," says Kalpana.

People use plastic bags because it is convenient and comparatively cheaper to the available alternatives like paper, jute or cloth bags. The non-biodegradable materials carelessly disposed off are often found hanging from trees and floating in ponds.

Strewn polythene bags have dire consequences on the soil, choking it and degrading its quality. They prevent the seeping of water into the soil, preventing recharging of groundwater.

Environmentalists say the plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to disintegrate and pose a threat to marine life, birds and other animals.

(http://www.hindustantimes.com/onlineCDA/PFVersion.jsp?article=http://10.81.141.122/news/181_1517930,000900040003.htm)