Guwahati airport, along with six others, issued ‘plantable’ baggage tags to raise green awareness

In a unique initiative to raise awareness on conservation efforts and a greener tomorrow, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, along with six other airports across India, are issuing “plantable” baggage tags.

Passengers flying from the Guwahati airport were up for a surprise as they were given biodegradable baggage tags filled with seeds which can easily be planted. As part of the World Environment Day programme, the initiative was taken forward at airports in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow, Jaipur and Mangaluru, apart from Guwahati.

Authorities said that around 1,500 plantable baggage tags were distributed to passengers flying through these seven airports across India.

“Environmentalists have often said that one of the simplest ways to go green and save nature is to plant as many trees as possible,” said a spokesperson at Adani Airports Holding Limited (AAHL).

“This is why we decided to distribute plantable baggage tags to all our airport users on the eve of World Environment Day. We also launched various other activities and initiatives to maximize awareness about the urgent need to protect the environment,” the spokesperson added.

With gardening becoming one of the most sought-after activities since the onset of the pandemic, the plantable baggage tags are an easy and effective way for passengers from all walks of life, especially the younger lot, to connect with nature.

The environmental-friendly baggage tags contain seeds of summer vegetables, such as green chilies, tomatoes, and brinjal, along with herbs such as basil and flowers like marigold. While the seeds are all organic, the sprouting rate of these plants, vegetables, and herbs is around 60-70%. If all of them were planted and taken care of, every packet could sprout into 720 to 1,200 vegetable plants.

Often the packets in which such seeds are distributed are discarded after taking out the seeds. But the idea behind these special baggage tags is that the entire tag can be soaked in water and planted in the ground/soil, to create a resourceful and beautiful green garden.

The paper used in these tags is completely wood-free and is made using upcycled cotton scrap. The string is made from jute. Both these materials are easily and quickly biodegradable, lessening the waste dumped into the environment.

In addition to plantable baggage tags, plants and seedlings were also distributed in cotton bags to passengers arriving at the airport along with specially made cotton bags that can be used during travelling.

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Avatar photo
About TNM NewsDesk

-

The News Mill is a Guwahati-based digital media with focus on content from across Northeast India and beyond. We can be reached through [email protected]