Reusable shopping bags introduced in all outlets of Bhatbhateni Supermarkets

Reusable shopping bags made of cotton is now available in all outlets of Bhatbhateni Supermarkets in Kathmandu to address the city's environmental problems.

Called the HamriBahini- the Green Shopping Bag, it is an initiative of Green social enterprise of Himalayan Climate Initiative (HCI) that will create respectable "Green Jobs" for disadvantaged young women of Nepal while addressing Kathmandu’s environmental problems through variety of schemes supported by the Private Sector.

Under its very first initiative, the enterprise introduced subsidised Green Reusable Shopping Bags to the consumers at all the five outlets of Bhatbhateni in Kathmandu from Friday.

The Green Shopping bags will now be exclusively available in all Bhatbhateni Supermarkets outlets in a subsidized price of Rs. 30, according to a statement issued by HCI.

Also, Bhatbhateni has introduced a One-Rupee-Charge on every polythene bag given to its customers. The contribution collected from the customers will be handed over to HamriBahini Green Social Enterprise adding an additional 50 paisa per polythene bag from Bhatbhateni’s own account. This will help keep the cloth bags produced by the enterprise stay inexpensive to the consumers.

Minister for Enviorment, Science and Technology Dr. Keshav Man Shakya inaugurated the bag amidst a program in Bhatbhateni Supermarket, Bhatbhateni on Feb. 15.

Likewise, renowned comedian and social activist Hari Bansha Acharya was officially the first person to buy the cloth bag. Chairman of Bhatbhateni Supermarkets Min Bahadur Gurung sold the first bag to Acharya.

A significant number of bags were sold in the first day of the launch with support from enthusiastic buyers.

Likewise, the initiative has also been supported by a host of celebrities. On the first day of the campaign, Former Miss Nepal 2010 Sadikshya Shrestha along with Sanyukta Timilsina, Former Miss Nepal 2010 runner up volunteered in selling the bags to the customers on Feb. 16 at Bhatbhateni Supermarkets, Chuchepati.

Around 500 volunteers are also engaged in supporting the initiative. nepalnews.com