SHILLONG: A budding entrepreneur from East Garo Hills is recycling waste to make marketable products.
Bonkey R Marak of Williamnagar is recycling papers to manufacture file covers and board, cobra clip file, document boxes, pen stands, envelopes and four-fold cover files under the brand name Ecocraft.
Marak, along with former MLA Nihim D Shira, met Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday who was impressed by the young entrepreneur’s initiative that is contributing to greener earth as well as ensuring livelihood opportunities.
Sangma asked the firm to expand their business operation and position their products in the market. He told them to start outlets in different parts of the state and make their products available to the public.
Marak told the Chief Minister that he launched his products in April with the initiative of Deputy Commissioner of East Garo Hills Ram Kumar.
The Williamnagar Waste Paper Recycling Centre, which promotes the brand Ecocraft, is located on the premises of the deputy commissioner’s office with an outlet from where the products are sold to the public. The main objective of the Centre is to collect waste paper materials generated by every government offices, schools, colleges etc.
“We conceptualised and launched the project in our bid to reduce the waste material for helping in making a clean and green Williamnagar town,” Marak said.
Marak further explained to the Chief Minister that he is collecting tetra pack, corrugated box, cotton cloth, denim cutting jeans, paper cups from different markets and localities.
Ecocraft has given employment to 30 people, who are currently engaged in the manufacturing unit in different capacities.
The Chief Minister’s office is also using eco-friendly products and have banned used of bottle drinking water.
