Refundable Cloth Bag Machines Offer a Plastic Alternative in Chandigarh Markets
At Chandigarh’s Sector 26 grain market, a coin- and QR-operated machine is offering shoppers a practical alternative to plastic carry bags. Those who forget to bring their own can deposit Rs 10 or make a digital payment to receive a reusable cloth bag, with the amount refunded upon return of the bag.
The initiative, implemented by the NGO I Hate Polythene, targets high-footfall markets where plastic bag usage remains common. Sector 26 was selected for the pilot due to its daily footfall of 10,000–15,000 visitors and high plastic consumption.
By placing reusable bags at the point of demand, the system prioritises convenience over enforcement. “Markets move fast, and decisions are made in seconds,” said Manish Kumar, City Manager (Tri-City), I Hate Polythene. “If a reusable option is not available at that moment, plastic fills the gap.”
User response on the ground has been positive. Ashok, a regular shopper at the market, said the option has changed his habits. “Earlier, if you forgot your bag, plastic was the only option. Now you can take a cloth bag on the spot and even get the money back later,” he said.
Since its introduction in 2024, nearly 100,000 cloth bags have been issued through seven machines across Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Zirakpur, with around 15,000 returned and re-circulated.
Anuj Aggarwal, Co-founder of I Hate Polythene, said the focus is on making sustainable choices easier to adopt. “Plastic has been banned for years, but rules alone don’t change behaviour. When alternatives are visible and easy to use, people are far more likely to switch,” the co-founder said.
Encouraged by the response, the organisation is preparing to scale the model. The initiative is being presented to municipal bodies, with tenders underway for the installation of 100 additional cloth bag vending machines across more markets and cities.
