Karnal Canteen: A unique initiative has begun at the Atal Kisan Mazdoor Canteen in Karnal. Here, a full meal is available in exchange for 500 grams of plastic waste.

At the Atal Kisan Mazdoor Canteen in Karnal, a full meal is being provided in exchange for 500 grams of waste plastic. A group of women has set a unique example of cleanliness. Along with farmers and laborers, even poor people can earn a meal by donating 500 grams of waste plastic. 

The canteen was started for the workers.

A woman named Suman Dangi, present at the Atal Kisan Mazdoor Canteen, said that the canteen was started for agricultural laborers. But now a new initiative has been started. Bring 500 grams of waste plastic and eat a full meal. Suman explained that the 10-rupee plate that we give to agricultural laborers is the same plate that we give to those who bring 500 grams of plastic. She said that the elderly, children, and people from the poor class bring waste plastic.

'We are getting support from the government'

Suman explains that we've taken this step to promote cleanliness. Plastic was scattered everywhere. Afterward, we came up with an idea, and the women and our seniors were very supportive. We're also receiving full support from the government. Along with cleanliness, people are also getting enough food. She explained that the daily meal here includes two vegetables, rice, roti, and lassi for just 10 rupees. Those who bring 500 grams of waste plastic are also given the same.

How did the plastic idea come about?

She further explained that Atal Kisan Mazdoor was started in 2019. Some children would come to the market and ask people for money so they could eat. "We told those children, instead of asking people for money, bring the waste plastic lying around and eat here," she said. That's how it began.  So far, more than 1,500 kilograms of plastic has been collected and sold to scrap dealers, and more than 3,000 meals have been served.

Suman works at the Atal Kisan Mazdoor Canteen, run by a women's self-help group. She provides employment to five to six women from self-help groups.