Letters: Don't kill the jute bag

This refers to the editorial “Sacking Jute” (July 25). it’s a chicken and egg situation. Though the jute industry is well within its rights to seek greater support, on its part it needs to spend more on research and development to improve quality and keep pace with industry requirements. Effective ways must be found to pack sugar and other products using jute bags. This will not only ensure that workers in the labour-intensive jute industry do not lose their jobs, it will also save the environment from the toxic waste released by the polypropylene industry. Even for the cement industry, jute bags can be made usable by including a thin layer of plastic bags inside to prevent damage.

An enormous quantity of plastic bag litter is impacting the environment. As an immediate step, bulk packing should be encouraged. Reusable packing should also be considered.

Vinay Singhal Gurgaon

Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number