Indian government has become very active with respect to ban of single-use plastic in various parts of country in last decade.
Multiple campaigns, drives and community activities are happening throughout the country with local Municipal Corporations playing very active role in getting their region at top ranks in Swachhta score set by Government of India.
Scrapshala Varanasi, being a sustainable product making brand, has participated in multiple events in last few months that are designed to bring sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic in our country.
Our founders Shikha Shah' recent visit to Shree Khatu Shyam Baba temple in Sikar, Rajasthan made her observe that something major was missing with respect to plastic ban in implementation and communication at all major religious and temple campuses in India!
Sharing here few pictures of the main temple campus from her last visit.
The roads were full of non-biodegradable garbage, there were hardly any visible dustbins, no communication boards regarding plastic ban and local shops were proudly selling religious items and souvenirs made of single-use and low quality plastic.
There were no options of any sustainable alternatives for religious items or souvenirs even for visitors like her who wanted to buy plastic items.
Why are we not encouraging temple campuses to have stores/options for sustainable alternatives to religious items?
Temples are most visited places in India, attracting millions of tourists from all over the world. If we create a sustainable shopping option at these places, not only can we develop mind-set/habit change but also educate a big percentage of people to shop eco-friendly and protect environment in name of religion.
Moreover, there is no reason of polluting the environment for worshipping God!
Scrapshala Varanasi would be keen to work in temple campuses in India to start an initiative to make worshiping God a eco-friendly event and create options for eco-friendly shopping around temple campuses.
Scrapshala has successfully designed multiple sustainable souvenirs options for Varanasi, where they are headquartered. These souvenirs are keychains, fridge magnets, coasters etc. made out of upcycled raw materials such as paper, wood, bamboo, jute, all locally handcrafted by local artisans of Varanasi.
