The West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation (WBGEDC) is all set to introduce bio-degradable carry bags in several city malls to replace conventional plastic carry bags, which pose serious environmental hazards.

Now, you can soon expect to carry your shopping in these green jute and fibre bags. WBGEDC managing director S P Ganchoudhuri said he has already asked some of the city's mall owners to promote these bags. "I have already spoken to some of them and received a positive response from many regarding implementing the plan. We will request mall developers to convince store-owners to use the green bags instead of plastic ones. Once these bags are introduced, it would also help curb the use of conventional energy - such as electricity - which is used to make plastic bags," Ganchoudhuri said.

The WBGEDC managing director said these bags, made of jute and fibre, would be completely bio-degradable. "The bags could also be made from waste paper. Using these bags would be beneficial, as these are environment-friendly. We will send a bunch of sample bags to mall owners. These can carry company names and logos," he said.