This Initiative By Waitrose Encourages A Move Towards Sustainable Bags

Ever thought of where your plastic bag might end-up? Quite often they either make their way to landfills or seep into the ocean, and pose a threat to the environment we all live and breathe in. 

As reported by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, approximately one billion plastic bags are used in the country every year – an average of 1,184 a person, which compares with a global figure of 307 per person. 

A new policy that was initiated on October 1 in the supermarket chain Waitrose & Partners has introduced a 25 fils plastic bag charge as a  part of its sustainability programme, the proceeds of which will be donated to the non-profit conservation organisation Emirates Nature - WFF.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by WaitroseUAE (@waitroseuae) on Sep 28, 2020 at 6:26am PDT

They will also have a line of reusable bags which can be purchased starting at Dhs3.5 both online and in store. 

Sunil Kumar, CEO of Fine Fare Foods said: “This new charge is part of a gradual phase-out in line with the policies being introduced by the government across the UAE – and one that we are committed to following.

 

 

 

 

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Single-use plastic bags are a global environmental issue. Our #PartnersAgainstWaste initiative is committed to making a difference through our goal to eliminate single-use plastic bags. We invite you to join us as we work towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable tomorrow. - - #WaitroseAndPartners #PartnersAgainstWaste #ReducePlastic #MakeADifference #SaveTheEnvironment #ReusableBags #NoPlasticBags

A post shared by WaitroseUAE (@waitroseuae) on Sep 27, 2020 at 8:22am PDT

It also plans to ensure its branded plastic packaging contains at least 30 per cent recycled content and phase out non-recyclable plastic from all packaging by 2021. As the supermarket chain has also committed to making its own-brand packaging reusable, widely recyclable or home compostable by 2023 and has pledged to remove 20 per cent of plastic from its own-brand ranges by the end of 2021.

Earlier this year, the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah also announced a full phase-out of disposable plastic bags in all retail outlets by 2021.

So you can now take one step closer in moving towards a plastic-free environment as many more retailers have announced initiatives to phase out the use of single-use plastic

Lead image courtesy of unsplash