Jun
4
Have you noticed how many paper cups get used by delegates consuming water and beverages at conferences and other events? Depending on the size and duration of the gathering, the number can run into hundreds and thousands. What a waste, would you agree?
As a part of the BlogCamp Delhi recently, I personally decided to set an example by writing my name on the paper cup I was using, and used the same one most of the day till someone trashed it. When I suggested other attendees do the same, it was heartening to see some doing so.
It triggered off a further debate on the merits of doing so, and doing similar things. A few other good suggestions emerged:
- Offices should allot employees a cup with their name on it and these should be used all the time rather than disposables.
- We should start saying no to shopping bags when we can.
- Even if the action is what may seem as having an insignificant impact, it is important one starts thinking about these things. And when we start thinking, it will lead to further positive action.
Think about it.
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14 Responses to “One delegate, one paper cup at conferences”
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Completely agree that every drop, adds to the larger effort. While people like us are very few who refuse accept bags at stores when possible, there are a large number who ask for an extra carry bag. None of the well known super stores or brand stores accept suggestions of changing over to eco friendly stuff. In one of the suggestions forms I had mentioned to the authorities that unless there is a monetary incentive attached the effort from the consumer will be low. Suggested that, If the customer brings his/her own bag or preferable the stores branded bag to carry his purchases, they get an extra discount or points added to their loyalty programme. I am yet to see any of the large stores, incl Lifestyle, Westside, Shopper’s Stop where I had put up this suggestion.
Its time someone thinks of a good business model and start a car pool to help matters.Its badly needed especially with steep fuel costs and the massive traffic jams.
People say… ” God Save or help” or sing “God Save the World” . Why I wonder…. Isn’t it in our hands to take action and do the needful?
Hi Jyotsna,
Am so happy you agree with me, and have added to the debate with your own ideas.
It is amazing how everyone agrees with a good idea or thought, but rarely does anyone do anything about it (I am not suggesting you fall in this category - I know you well enough to know you mean even more than you say!!) I only we all start thinking more about our actions.
In this case the real change will happen when retailers start doing something about it like you had also suggested. Including educating customers about the need for fewer bags.
Let’s hope better sense prevails before it is too late!!
Ajay, continuing in this vein, I also wonder if the airlines could change the way drinks are dispensed on flights.
To reduce costs and save fuel, airlines could carry beverages in lightweight plastic tanks, and fill passengers’ cups through a spigot or hose connected to the tank.
This would eliminate the need for all those aluminum cans they now carry, which I’m sure weigh a lot when taken together, and after they’re emptied, still weigh something. Plus which, aluminum cans are simply wasteful.
Another advantage of this might be that since aluminum is required in the manufacture of aircraft, and if so much of the metal weren’t being used for cans, the price would go down and thus the price of aircraft would be reduced if such cans were phased out for carbonated (”soda”) drinks and juices.
As usual, you have made a thought provoking comment. Certainly we all need to start thinking proactively for solutions to emerge. Your idea today may just become standard practice tomorrow.
Better yet, should we all carry our own cup to these events. Whether it is paper cups or Styrofoam it is a waste. Or, perhaps these conferences should give us a reusable cup we can keep and carry for future events. It’s advertising for them and less waste all around.
I try to conserve whenever possible, but many of these events encourage waste.
Sheilah
Its already being done … Mother airy Outlets refuse to give plastic bags when selling Milk Pouches or any other item. This is a good start. Its always difficult to change people but tell them about a precedent and you’ll find them better adapted to a more open way of looking at things. We need to take this idea to more and more people, and tell retailers what Mother Dairy seems to be accomplishing through their small gestures.
Deepak
Its good to know the intiative you have taken. each paper cup costs around 40paise. More than cost this will save environment.
As paper cup being poly coated it cannot be disposed naturally.
i know palastic is the big problem.i always carry my bag for shopping and refused to take any bag from shopkeeper.i used to buy veg. from dhelawala outside my house when i give my beg to him he used to say”kaya hum appko ik beg bhi nahi de sakate”
i think people will change but we have to put our effort.
ira
Your effort is commendable Ira. And yes, if we start making an effort and not be embarrassed to do the right thing, we can make a big difference.
Cheers… Ajay
The next time, I am going to implement this when i go to a semiar etc..
and will also ask few otehr to do the same.
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Nimesh
9899144024
Also, I have recently joined Art of Living as a volunteer after doing their Leadership development programme called YES+ DSN, which was attended by 100 youth.
After Mumbai, they are making efforts in Delhi area, to discourage use of Poly bags in Delhi.
There is a possibility that we can work together. Among the youth, there’s a lady named Ms. Madhu. She teaches underprivileged children, and with her we are also thinking on a project where we can get paper bags (out of newspaper) manufactured by those children, and either give as free with AOL posters on them, or put big companies’ ads on them and sell to them. (This was also a sound business idea given to me a successful business man).
What say?
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Nimesh Sharma
9899144024
Fantastic idea, actually I also used to give this type of idea but some time people don’t take it positively, but anyhow we must insist on this type of issues. One more thing I can suggest here that instead of paper/disposable cup/glass, we also can use plastic bottles individually, then there is no need of the paper/disposable glasses at all.
Ajay why u are not writting these days?
nice ideas to save environment. in future i will also follow at least in this way we may change some people .it will bring some change definately .
Manju Trehan