Survey further indicated that people are willing to accept cloth bags made out of old clothes. Only about 10% indicated that they would go only for new cloth bags for hygienic reasons. We found that 25% people are willing to pay the actual cost of new cloth bags and another 30% would accept new cloth bags subsidized by 50%. A new cloth bag of 15 inches by 18 inches with eco message printed costs Rs.12 (1USD = Rs.49). Less than 5% indicated that they would anyway prefer a polybag due to its properties like - they do not get wet, are free of charge and look more elegant. Some of them probably have a mindset, therefore, and a continued awareness program and peer pressure could have the desired outcome. Around 5% people got interested in donating old clothes for making bags. There were quite a few who appreciate the initiatives planned and encouraged the distribution of cloth bags.

• Nilgiris has agreed to support us by acting as a collection centre for old clothes which are used for stitching cloth bags for carrying provisions.
• Nilgiris would offer in the initial phase of the program, 1% discount on the total bill for customers who carry a cloth bag.
• Daily lucky draw on the bills of customers who use cloth bags.
• Arrangement is being made by Nilgiris on bar coded cloth bags to be made available at the Nilgiris at a discounted rate. People reusing the same bag, to be traced through bar code, will be offered additional discount for the number of times the bag is reused.
• All suppliers to Nilgiris are required to produce certificate that all packaging is done using 20 microns and above polybags. 

Harshit encouraging a customer
at Nilgiris to use cloth bag.

Meeting Government and Town officials

Pollution Control Board
The project was discussed with the Chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and the Environmental Officer, Bangalore city. With their support we approached "The Nilgiris Dairy Farm Limited" (since 19051 and "Vitan", two superstores in the city, to have their support as test centres for the initiatives planned.

Nilgiris agreed to support awareness campaign against use of polybags. We put up posters at Nilgiris, Brigade Road, and distribute complimentary cloth bags on a regular basis at the counters of Nilgiris. Nilgiris is acting as our collection center for old clothes which are made
into cloth bags.

Nilgiris would offer in the initial phase of the program, 1% discount on the total bill for customers who carry a cloth bag. They would also have daily lucky draw on the bills of customers who use cloth bags. Work is going on bar coded cloth bags to be made available at the Nilgiris at a discounted rate. People reusing the same bag, to be traced through bar code, will be offered additional discount for the number of times the bag is reused.

We took up Vitan at Basham Circle for our work. The manager was very appreciative of our initiatives. Posters were put up and cloth bags are made available at the counters from time to time.

Compost Development Corporation
As part of the learning process the children visited and discussed with the officials of Compost Development Corporation who process the garbage collected in our city, Bangalore. Children studied the facilities to separate the polybags from the garbage & procedure of vermi-composting and saw the organic manure produced in the process.

Desired Result

Little Eco Friends with Managing Director 
of the Compost Development Corporation

Action Taken
Visits to flats, shops
We visited over 400 flats, vegetable vendors and shopkeepers in our local neighbourhoods talking about harmful effects of polybags, eco friendly nature of cloth and paper bags and collected old clothes from the households. Cloth bags are stitched at the cost of Little Eco Friends and regularly distributed. So far we have distributed over 3,000 cloth bags, complimentary.

Eco School
We discussed with the Sophia school Principal and with her support have spread the eco-message in each section through class lectures. The students were eager to learn and donate old clothes for the Little Eco Friends movement. Teachers and students alike have taken to use of cloth bags distributed in the school. During lunch recess, we talk to students about switching over to cloth and paper bags. Posters have been put up in the school notice board. Harshit also spoke on the subject in one of the assembly sessions. Once the use of polybags is completely stopped in our school, the Principal has agreed to put up a board at the entrance gate declaring the school as a `Polybag Free Campus' .

Achievements

Congratulations from Volvo
Congratulations on being selected as one of the top Volvo Ocean Adventure entries. We are looking forward to meeting you all in Gothenburg later this year. In anticipation please find an outline of our environmental day. We will be sharing the projects and reports from the other finalists of the competition, and preparing a statement to be sent to world leaders from the young people attending in Gothenburg. The young people will be suggesting which issues are important for everyone around the world and potential actions.-Kikki Hugestrand

Targets Achieved
Little Eco Friends members has ensured a near total ban on use of polybags at their homes. Over 75 % decrease is noticed in use of polybags among near friends and relatives. There is a 50% decrease in polybags usage in the 400 flats targeted initially.

Targeting for future
Superstores - Domino effect
We are targeting 20% decline in use of polybags in two super stores and are discussing with Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil Corporation, Rotary Club for necessary sponsorship since the number of cloth/paper bags required in the main outlet of Nilgiris is itself 1000 per day on week ends and around 600 on weekdays.

Self sustaining the progress
We are identifying another 404 flats wherein cloth and paper bags with publicity material of ABN AMRO will be distributed. The bags on one side would carry the eco message and on the other side have the banks' logo and message synergising eco work with commercial sponsorship making the campaign self sustaining.