There should be more Kusum store's in Bangalore. Can anyone contribute ideas of how the Kusum stores initiative can be spread to other shops too??

Thanks for all the info, Meera. All the retail outlets at the Bangalore Club has also stopped giving out plastic bags now. It's a step in the right direction.

Very much in favor of paper bags If people are charged for the plastic bags they will bring their own bags. the new Reliance outlet provides rolls of plastic bags and makes it evenmore convenient for customers to use them. I storongly belive they should be banned.

Thanks Meera for such a nice article.


What happens if you do not add anti-oxidants to polyethylene in the first place? Will they degrade faster - say in a year?

Paper bags are not better than plastic. They are weak, are mostly made from trees, and too much chlorine used for bleaching. I favour cloth bags which are refundable.

Thanks Deepa and Kishan.

Kishan, they would degrade faster, in a matter of days to months. But additives stabilise the polymer by changing its structure. So without any anti-oxidants, their structure may not be suitable. E.g., they would probably be brittle.

Ok, so we need innovation to stabilize yet allow degradation within short period.
Thanks Meera, that is very useful and technical info.

An effective method to control the demand for carry bags has to be done by the Information & Broadcasting Department by shooting a film on HOW THE PLASTIC BAGS ARE MANUFACTURED and telecasted over all channels. It should start from the virgin plastic bags manufactured, used, disposed in various ways, its turmoil on the garbage / streets by the dogs etc. and its pickup by the rag pickers till it is processed back to carry bags and offered for use. Definitely, if one sees the path of its origination, people will start refusing them even if it is offered.

Good idea, Mr. Prakash

Is there such video already that you know of?. If not, let us make a short movie and try I&B channel. At the least we can upload it on YouTube and forward it to friends.

Let me know who all interested, e-mail me at

I am all for plastic carry bags.They are strong, durable, and can save trillions of trees which is used for making paper.The problem is with the people who uses these bags for all the wrong reasons and throw them carelessly anywhere. If there is a system to collect used or damaged bags it could be shredded and add to the bitumin when making roads.But then there must be dicipline among people.Can we expect this from people of India? No Never.So all those who make a living out of "protest against anything" will continue making money (NGOs) and others receive recognition
and fame. Mera Bharat Mahan

This article does not talk about paper bags. (Maybe the comment was made in a rush before understanding the intended goal of the article)

This article excellently points out that even stronger and durable cloth bags are the alternative to plastic bags. All it requires of you is pick up a cloth bag before going shopping. I think "Kusum General Stores" deserves bigger appreciation in this regard.


Once plastic is banned completely, people will start getting their cloth bags like they used to in earlier times.

There are better ways to make roads (which is off topic) than using plastic. This "plastic-for-roads" is being abused as an excuse by the plastic society.


The first comment by Arun Patre in this post pointed out spreading "Kusum stores" initiative to other retail outlets. We can do our bit by suggesting this idea to retail outlet chains across Bangalore. Here's the idea -

1. Right next to the counter display a notice on harm of plastic.
2. Place cloth bags underneath it
3. Request shoppers to remember getting the bags.

I'll do my bit by talking to retail outlets near my house about it.

I carry my own cloth bags. I guess that is the best.

Thanks for the informative article, Meera. I'm curious - how did you come across Kusum General Stores?