Women in Nimroz switch to cloth bags and home gardens to fight plastic pollution

Zaranj (Pajhwok, Feb 26, 2026) - Amid growing concerns over plastic pollution in Afghanistan, several women in Nimroz province have abandoned plastic bags in favor of handmade cloth bags and established home gardens to reduce waste and protect the environment.

Shima Mohammadi, a 48-year-old resident of Zaranj city, told Pajhwok she decided to stop using plastic bags after reading about their harms. "Waste from plastic bags is polluting our environment," she said. "As a citizen, I decided not to use plastic bags anymore and say no to them. At home, we sewed patchwork cloth bags and use them." Mohammadi, who now uses glass jars instead of plastic for storage, reminisces about past practices when cloth bags and paper were common, leading to healthier lives. She encourages friends, relatives, and neighbors to follow suit.

Sadef Amiri, another Zaranj resident, has also switched to cloth bags to cut pollution and safeguard her family's health. She highlighted a vacant lot near her home used as a dump site, mostly plastic waste scavenged by addicts and poor children. "Sisters, if you even have half a meter of cloth at home, sew a bag and use it. Make a garden in your yard," Amiri urged. Both women plan to sew and sell cloth bags.

Fariba, a 40-year-old from Delaram district, created a home garden with support from the agriculture department after repeated requests. Asadullah, director of agriculture promotion at the Nimroz Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department, said a month ago, 40 women in Delaram received training with institutional support and established home gardens. Additionally, 16 greenhouses were built for women there. He added that surveys are complete for creating home gardens for 600 more women province-wide, with preparations underway.

Environmental expert Abdulmatin Matin noted that plastic production and disposal is a major issue globally and in Afghanistan, exacerbating soil and water pollution.