We all try to be a little more environmentally friendly where possible.
Reduce, reuse, recycle is the old adage and if you can take small actions to help out then we’d say that’s great.
Encouraging customers to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags, Waitrose has increased the price of plastic bags.
From the start of the month a single-use plastic bag will cost 25 fils each.
All proceeds from the sale of plastic bags will also be donated to non-profit organisation Emirates Nature-WWF.
The move is to reduce plastic waste and to benefit the environment as part of the Partners Against Waste programme.
Earlier this year Abu Dhabi and Ras L Khaimah announced plans to phase out disposable plastic bags entirely in retail outlets by 2021.
According to the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, approximately 1 billion plastic bags are used in the country every year, that’s an average of 1,184 a person which is higher than the global rate of 307 a person.
“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,” said Sunil Kumar, CEO of Fine Fare Foods which runs Waitrose & Partners UAE.
“We are dedicated to reducing our impact on the environment, and while we know there is still a lot of work to be done, the removal of single use carrier bags is a major step in the right direction.
“So far, we’ve received really positive feedback from our customers.”
For more information visit www.waitrose.com.
