Street vendors in Hyderabad are gaining respect after ensuring they are making quick bucks from the ban on single use plastic
Street vendors in Hyderabad earning respect after ban on single use plastic
Street vendors at traffic junctions in Hyderabad lost no time in realizing a new opportunity for business, soon after the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) announced a ban on single-use plastics from July 1. They are now selling bags made of woven synthetic materials as an alternative to plastic. These bags with short handles are not only attractive as they come in attractive magenta, gold, blue, silver and pink colors, but are also water resistant, making them perfect for the current rainy season.
Street vendors are doing brisk business with these bags at busy traffic junctions like Jubilee Hills Check Post, Road No 45 Jubilee Hills and Khairatabad. They cost ₹100 per piece or buy two for ₹150 after a good deal. Ratan Raj, who sold them at the Jubilee Hills check post, claims that the bag can be used to carry small and light laptops as well.
Knowledgeable sellers keep track of what’s most likely to sell during a particular season. Ratan says: “We sold strawberries during the summer, last year we sold a lot of big umbrellas; When everyone started paying through the app (digitisation) we sold card machines. If you want to do business then avoid the thing in demand (To do business, we must sell things that are in demand). Vendors apparently also keep an eye on online shopping sites to know the trends.
Another seller Rajni says: “These bags are easy to clean. Buyers can match the bag to their clothing. This bag is in fashion (These bags are in fashion).”
When asked why someone would buy from them, Ratan laughs, “Our goods are GST free and we are literally mobile shops. We can even cross the signal and run to you.”