ANANTAPUR: In a bold and creative step towards a plastic-free future, the Batta Sanchi Udyamam initiative under the Discover Anantapur mission has distributed 1.5 lakh cloth bags across the city — including slums, marketplaces, and temples — with a strong appeal to shun plastic bags.

The campaign recently expanded into a reuse-driven awareness movement, collecting old sarees and recycling them into cloth bags. Women from tailoring training centres in Anantapur are leading this transformation, turning waste into utility while creating livelihoods.

Founder AG Anil Kumar explained that the surge in plastic use was causing serious ecological harm. He shared that with 15,000 women tailors in the region, the potential to earn ₹8,000 daily collectively through stitching cloth bags is realistic — and transformative.

Kumar also introduced a unique offer: citizens can submit old sarees and receive 10 cloth bags per saree, stitched completely free by the movement’s tailors.

Under this initiative, over 1,000 cloth bags have already been stitched, and more are underway. The Anantapur Municipal Corporation (AMC) and MEPMA praised the program during a Sunday event, where three bag designs made by local women were showcased.

Officials also rewarded the tailors with ₹15,000 in earnings from three days of work and provided cash prizes as encouragement. AMC pledged continued support to this sustainable, empowering cause.