B2b Bags Sale at the Cinnamon Grand

Cinnamon Grand launched its third phase of the B2b recycling initiative on 5 June with a B2b shop in the hotel’s lobby. The shop gives guests the opportunity to enjoy the ‘feel good’ factor of doing their part to help in efforts to preserve the environment by purchasing these unique bags. The B2b bags are the hotel’s previously used promotional flex banners turned into fashionable bags that have multiple uses. This bag sale coincides with the Cinnamon Grand’s month long eco friendly initiatives in commemoration of World Environment Day.

B2b was launched on 27 March 2009 and is a unique recycling initiative, transforming banners to bags for the first time in Sri Lanka. Using the 3R initiative of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as an inspiration, Cinnamon Grand has worked on reducing waste that could arise from discarding the banners and reusing this discarded product by recycling it for more productive use. The bags, created in a colourful array of styles and shapes are made by retired tailors and all proceeds from the sale will be channelled to the children’s ward of the Cancer Hospital Maharagama.

The B2b initiative which got a very positive nod from 2007 Nobel Prize for Peace Co-laureate, Professor Mohan Munasinghe, who is an internationally recognised expert on energy, sustainable development and climate change, takes the concept of sustainability that much further.  

According to the Chairman of the Munasinghe Institute for Development (MIND) Colombo and Director General, Sustainable Consumption Institute, Manchester University UK; “Flex banners are used widely the world over but are non bio-degradable and never disposed of properly, making it a significant environmental hazard. Converting banners to bags clearly meets the requirements of the sustainable development triangle – economic, social and environmental. First, it takes a waste product and adds value to produce an economic good. Second, it is socially beneficial, providing sustainable livelihoods for unemployed people. Third, it reduces the environmental burden of waste disposal through recycling.”