Amid the plummeting Air Quality Index (AQI) and mounting waste in landfills, Kolkata Zero Waste Bazaar in New Alipore offers a breath of fresh air to any visitor that steps in. With everything eco-friendly, organic, upcycled and recycled material under one roof, the quaint and cosy store is rapidly becoming the conscious citizens’ preference over glitzy supermarkets.
Bhatia’s shop houses an extensive range of daily use items – from grocery staples or upcycled home decor. As one steps inside, one can spot foodgrains stored in traditional glass boyam (jars); steel, bamboo and wooden cutlery & kitchen essentials carefully assorted on the shelves; traditional household items like natural loofah, copper bottles etc.
Her stationery items made of recycled paper, seed and wood, are among the bestsellers. She also sells the A to Z of sustainable sanitary hygiene products – from cloth sanitary napkins and diapers to menstrual cups. Anahat has been proudly displaying their cloth pads both foldable and pad shaped and other upcycled products such as Christmas ornaments, banners, cloth book marks, pouches etc in her store.
Anahat makes washable cloth pads that are 100% cotton, by engaging slum women around Behala, South 24 Paraganas, thus contributing to their livelihoods and raising their awareness about cleanliness. It makes significant contribution to livelihoods of women around their office.
