Cloth bag vending machines to curb plastic use in R'than

In an attempt to provide a viable alternate to polythene bags, the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) has come up with cloth bag vending machines.

Claimed to be the first of its kind, the RSPCB has developed these machines in collaboration with an Udaipur-based private company to ensure an effective ban on polythene bags. The machines will dispense eco-friendly carry bags made of textile wastes, procured from textile units in Pali district.

Regional officer of RSPCB, Kota, Amit Kumar Sharma, who is in-charge of this project, said, “We have currently procured three such machines...the  cost of each machine is Rs 1.25 lakh.”

There is a coin acceptor in the machine through which a customer can insert Rs 5 or Rs 10 coin and get two cloth bags for Rs 5, he said.

A total of 9,000 cloth bags have been manufactured by the RSPCB. “Each bag will have a carrying capacity of around 4-5 kg. The machines will have two hoppers which can accommodate various sizes of bags,” Sharma added.

The machine also supports multiple bag dispensing at a time based on denomination of the coin inserted.

The cloth vending machine will have an LED moving message display for slogans/advertisements.

DH News Service