Volunteers in Bangladesh have been promoting paper bags.

Paper bags were promoted in Bangladesh this week by volunteers keen to dissuade people from using plastic carrier bag alternatives.

Beside the Saphalyam Complex at Palayam in Thiruvananthapuram passers-by and motorists paused to see a crooked tree strung entirely with paper bags made from newspapers, The Hindu reports.

The 'Bag Tree' was maintained by helpers with bundles of bags and a patchwork banner as they attempted to hand out the designs for free.

Run by environmental research organisation, Thanal, 3,000 paper bags were distributed in total in the hope that it will help raise awareness of sustainability issues.

The initiative was undertaken on September 25th, which is observed as Global Day of Action, and was supported by the Zero Waste Centre in Kovalam as a way to promote environmentally favourable materials.

Thanal's executive director, Usha Jayakumar told the publication: "It may take months, but it is high time society changed its habits and mindsets and disciplined itself to make use of such alternatives."

She explained that in the wake of refuse management crises in the city it was up to organisations, residents and associations to become more proactive in promoting sustainable alternatives.

Ms Jayakumar also went on to argue that statistics show that every family in the city uses around 560 plastic carrier bags each year, a number which could easily and quickly be reduced through a collective effort.

Following initiatives such as the Bag Tree, Bangladesh could look to impose stricter regulations on plastic bag distribution.

Across the border in India, Delhi has recently approved a ban on the use, storage, manufacture and sale of plastic bags in order to crackdown on waste.

A notification on the ban is due to be issued soon, which will then give residents and businesses in the city one year to fully implement the new rules.

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