Compostable plastic bags to be launched in city today

SHILLONG: A company, Saindur Enviro Pvt. Ltd. (Shillong), will launch compostable carry bags called SE organic bags on the occasion of World Environment Day at St. Edmunds School on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, the co-founder of the company, Vivel Kumar, said the SE carry bags, which can be re-used for four-five times, provide a solution to the problems posed by use of plastic.
He informed that the SE organic bags are 100 per cent compostable and are made up of PLA (polylactic acid)-based material derived from renewable sources like corn-starch, cassava, sugarcane, etc.
As an added benefit, he said that the bags get composted in 90-180 days without leaving any toxic residue in soil, adding that the left over is manure and can be used to enrich soil’s fertility.
The bags will come in sizes ranging from small betel nut (kwai) packets to shopping and garbage bags of up to 15-kg capacity that is set to be priced at Rs 450 per kg.
He also informed that the product is certified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Kumar said that the bags are in use in states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Kerala.
He informed that the company has distributors and pamphlets will be pasted outside the shops using the SE carry bags.