Cinnamon Grand recently launched for the first time in Sri Lanka its unique recycling initiative of transforming banners to trendy bags.

From small medium to large bags. Cinnamon Grand has scored another first to create and innovate fashionable and colourful bags from large banners.

"We had many banners lying around. We never wonted to dispose either by dumping or burning them as we were conscious of the environmental hazard enthused the General Manager Rohan Karr " We did something constructive with our recycling efforts. Our hotel promotes a variety of events and functions every month and these banners used are made use of profitably by providing jobs to certain of our society " said Karr.

Many tailors benefit earning a sustainable income through our initiative said Karr.

The General Manager continued the income earned will be donated to the Maharagama Cancer Hospital for children.

The bags are priced from Rs. 100 to Rs. 400 and Karr is confident it will soon be a favourite amongst the environmentally conscious Colombo elite.

"We hope that other corporate companies follow this plan. Every month there are five containers of plastic rolls shipped to this country, said Rohan Karr. We hope that others will find new ways of practising recycling and environmental friendly initiatives."

He said already John Keells Holdings has come forward to give their share of the banners from their 70 companies to help in this cause.

"We intend to have a sale of these bags every month. While using the 3R concept of reduce, reuse and recycle the bags will be made usefully for a worthy cause.

Professor Mohan Munasinghe recipient of the 2007 Peace Prize expressed optimism about the success of Cinnamon Grand’s initiative." We need this kind of commitment and partnership between business and civil society to ensure the sustanability of the nation and the planet and Cinnamon Grand has taken a positive step forward on World Environment Day.

According to PR Manager, Tharika Gunatilleke, these bags are fashionable, nip and tendy,. These 350 bags of various sizes were displayed to the public at the Atrium lobby.