The New Town authorities will start distributing bags and boxes made of jute and paper in markets of Action Area I, II and III and urge shopkeepers not to hand out plastic bags to customers, an NKDA official said.

The decision to use these biodegradable boxes and bags was taken at a recent board meeting of the New Town Kolkata Development Authority.

The step is to reduce the generation of plastic waste in the township’s shops, eateries, households and food delivery establishments, the official said.

Three NGOs have been inducted to make paper bags, boxes and jute bags, the official said. The bags will be given to shops in the community markets and to residents.

A pilot project will be carried out where sweetshops at the Mishti Hub near Eco Park and Cafe Ekante outlets will be given these bags and boxes.

“Plastic is very bad for the environment and we want to reduce its usage to the maximum extent,” said Debashis Sen, the NKDA chairman.

Three kiosks will be set up near bus stands in New Town where people can buy the items, Sen said.

The NKDA will also organise awareness workshops and camps among shopkeepers and residents of the township to reduce the use of plastic.

Earlier this month, The Telegraph had reported that the NKDA has decided to start using plastic waste collected from homes, offices and commercial establishments to make paver blocks in a bid to recycle plastic, which is otherwise difficult to dispose of.