The Beijing Branch of the Red Cross Society of China is promoting an environmentally-friendly, healthy and practical lifestyle among citizens by encouraging them to use handkerchiefs in place of disposable tissues.
It is learned that Beijing Red Cross has had some handkerchiefs produced and will distribute them to local residents soon.
In addition, in cooperation with the education department and the youth league, Beijing Red Cross plans to promote environmental protection and a low-carbon lifestyle . The use of handkerchiefs is said to be just part of the initiative which also includes the recycling of waste and old books.
According to Han Lu, the deputy director of Beijing Red Cross, handkerchiefs are used in Japan and some western countries, since this is not only good for the environment, but also is a sign of fashion, elegance, civilization and sanitation. In addition, in an emergency handkerchiefs can be used as tourniquets or bandages, or even as masks to keep off dust or poisonous gasses.
