A status check on a handful of green initiatives in Chennai

Meendum Manjappai campaign of Tamil Nadu Government, sanitary vending machines at Chennai Metro station and Greater Chennai Corporation selling compost from waste ...how do these initiatives fare? Are they still running? The Hindu Downtown runs a status check

Have you switched over to the Manjappai?

If yellow cloth bags are becoming integral to households across Chennai, a fair share of the credit must go to the Manjappai campaign by the Tamil Nadu State Government. Launched in 2021, the campaign seeking to encourage people to return to using eco-friendly cloth bags has only picked up momentum thanks to Manjappai-vending machines installed at strategic locations, awareness drives and branding initiatives.

According to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, 31 Meendum Manjappai vending machines have been installed across Chennai and many more are on the way.

The Manjappai vending machine installed at a TNPCB sustainability station on the sands of the Besant Nagar beach is the first to come up on the landscape. According to TNPCB sources, the initiative continues to enjoy impressive patronage, the machine staying busy.

The Meendu Manjappai app is another branding initiative that informs users about the location of the vending machines and the number of bags dispensed by it. It also allows users to complain about manufacturers that are stocking up on or distributing single-use plastic products.

Koyambedu wholesale market is covered by five vending machines. Sathish R, a staff with the Market Management Committee, says the bags are a hit among shoppers but there is scope for improvement.

“Currently, the machine dispenses only bags of one size, which can roughly carry two kilos of weight. Those shopping at the fruit and vegetable market return with a heavier load and if the bag could be customised then it could bring in more benefits,” he says.