CARREFOUR -IN UAE INTRODUCES REUSABLE PLASTICBAGS

New sturdier reusable plastic bags are available for 50 fils at all Carrefour supermarkets as part of a greater plan to completely eliminate thinner plastic shopping bags.

The Ministry of Environment and Water is fully supporting the scheme and similar initiatives from the private sector are encouraged, but no federal legislation has been passed yet banning plastic bags.

Carrefour has already reduced the number of plastic bags distributed by 10 per cent with the introduction of their first 'eco-bag' released in 2007.


In the future, the Ministry may look into introducing a tariff for using thin plastic shopping bags but alternatives will also be looked into. These alternatives include recycled paper bags or cloth bags, and oxobiodegradable plastic bags.

"Free bags are misused, it's human behaviour, but if you have to pay for it people will take better care of it, keep it and reuse it," said Al Numairy.

"Eliminating the use of plastic bags is one of the biggest environmental challenges in the Middle East. The UAE actively supports initiatives that can create a better world for future generations, and we are proud to have partnered with Carrefour in this noble cause," he added.

The new eco-bag from Carrefour is smaller and cheaper than the previous reusable bag, said Jean-Luc Graziato, vice-president of Carrefour in the UAE.

The bag will be available in all Carrefour stores in the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, priced at 50 fils, with a promise that if the bag is damaged Carrefour will replace it free of charge.

"As consumers, we have all become very comfortable with using far too many plastic bags, which are then discarded. This has created a cycle of waste, which we want to end. Our idea is simple; reduce environmental impact by replacing plastic bags with one that is reusable," said Graziato.

The previous, bigger eco-bag priced at Dh2 sold around 800,000 pieces. Graziato believes that this new bag prevented around 50 million bags from heading to landfill sites.

"This is one of our commitments to reduce the impact we have on the environment. Plastic bags are most environmentally damaging, it's biodegradable properties are poor & people use a bag and throw it away - this cycle of waste should come to an end," said Graziato.

Should the use of plastic bags be banned completley? Could you manage without the use of plastic bags?


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