Bangalore International Airport is promoting cloth and paper bags.

Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) is now promoting cloth and paper bags after becoming a plastic bag-free zone.

All food and beverage outlets, as well as retail concessions have made the switch from plastic to more environmentally-friendly materials, as part of the new legislation.

The 4,000-acre premises consists of 15 retail and 20 food outlets, which according to the airport, were generating approximately 35,000 plastic bags every month.

By banning plastic bags, the firm hopes to significantly reduce the waste it sends to landfills, while setting a positive example to local businesses and international tourists.

A spokesperson for BIAL told the Deccan Chronicle: "An ongoing effort for the last couple of months went completely live today with a 100 per cent switch to eco-bags … catering to the retailers across 500 categories and 5,000 brands."

"The direct impact of this change is at two levels, firstly on the environment and secondly on the livelihoods of thousands of women engaged with 'Ubuntu at Work' [a national community work scheme] at rural locations across South India," they went on to say.

"These women make and provide cloth bags to the airport and will supply approximately 360,000 bags," they explained.

The airport's plans have been widely praised by commentators and locals for setting a positive environmental example.

Speaking to the Daily News & Analysis India, Sunil Thomas, who frequently travels by air, hailed the decision by the Bangalore International Airport.

"Each morning I read in newspaper stories on our city battling with garbage. When I went to the airport today, I was glad to get my airport shopping in a cloth bag. I hope the city will soon follow suit," Ms Thomas said.

The BIA's decision to initiate these regulations from September 10th comes after two months of planning and campaigning by executives and staff as they sought to spread the news throughout the site.