An initiative of PTYS under Clean-Green Operation plan to ban plastic bags and introduce the use of paper bags and in the process empower the youth
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 16
Plastic carrier bags (polythene bags) have been creating much of an issue for the environment because they are non-biodegradable, release toxic fumes when burned and are a major constituent of the filth and garbage.
In an endeavor to keep Phek town environment healthy and free from plastic litter, the Phek Town Youth Society (PTYS) recently started a novel initiative called “Project Thonga” under their Clean-Green Operation (CGO) campaign.
An otherwise ambitious project, the objective is to replace the use of plastic bags with paper bags which is considered more eco friendly. And in the process, the project would also empower the youths by providing employment.
“Keeping in mind that plastic bags are the main pollutant of Phek town, the youth society decided to initiate this project of introducing paper bags and completely do away with plastic bags from Phek town,” Nuyi Hoshi, convener of CGO under PTYS told The Morung Express.
The project was launched on September 30, 2017 with a workshop on paper bags making, attended by around 100 youth. Out of this, more than 40 youths have since been employed in the project.
The PTYS supplies the material for making the paper bags and the youths are paid in terms of the number of paper bags they make each day. The finished product will be supplied to shops in Phek town.
According to PTYS, the initiative has the blessing of the Phek Town Council, Phek Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the District Administration as well. “We even received freewill donation from the Deputy Commissioner and the ADC for this project which has been very encouraging,” PTYS vice president Angoyi stated.
The biggest bonus of the initiative to eradicate plastic from Phek town is the employment avenue created for the unemployed youths, PTYS president Niezope Venuh said.
“The youths employed in the project earn, on average, Rs 300-400 per day depending on the number of paper bags they make. Since they are still novice in the art of paper bag making, they are a little slow, but once they catch up and become more adept, they will earn at least Rs. 10,000 a month,” Niezope said.
Abra, a 20 year old class-8 drop out is one of the fulltime workers employed on the project. “I make around 1000 paper bags a day which earns me Rs 300-400. This is more than the profit I got while selling chow and momo on the street,” Abra said.
Besides the 40-plus full time workers, college and school going students are also engaged on part time basis to earn pocket money, the PTYS president revealed.
What’s more heartening is that the youths engaged in the project are learning lessons on the value of time and money- because they are paid according to the number of paper bags they make, Niezope observed.
Since the start of the project, youths engaged for the job have made around 26,000 paper bags. If everything goes well, the PTYS plans to introduce the use of paper bags to other parts of Phek district, like Pfutsero sub division to begin with and in the surrounding villages.
Besides the introduction of the paperback, the PTYS will also launch cloth bags to be used as shopping bags. Once the supply of the paper bags kick starts, the youth society has plans to employ more youths in the project. “The official launching of the paper bags in Phek town would be held in a couple of days,” the PTYS official informed.
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