Incentives needed for supermarket staff who use low plastic bags

dubai — Supermarkets across the country have also been encouraging the use of re-usable bags.

Currently, 10 Zoom stores are plastic-bag free, giving paper bag alternatives to customers. It plans to eliminate using plastic bags across all stores in the near future. In 2018, Zoom will also introduce canvas bags as part of its efforts to eliminate plastic. Meanwhile, the store has been using bio-degradable plastic bags since 2016, in efforts to reduce the negative impact of single-use plastics on the environment.

Waitrose announced a new trial that will implement a carrier bag charge of 25 fils for all single-use plastic bags at five trial stores across Abu Dhabi with aims to encourage shoppers to bring in reusable bags or use the in-store bag exchange, where customers can deposit any used bags for other shoppers to use.

Meanwhile, Lulu Hypermarket recently joined the “Green Cashier” programme, were employees were honoured for their best awareness efforts in promoting the use of sustainable bags — including paper or multiuse bags — and creating awareness among the shoppers.

Habiba al Marashi, founder and chairperson of the Emirates Environmental Group, stressed on having a reward system for employees who manage to use the least number of plastic bags.

“Supermarkets must train cashier employees on using low number of plastic bags. These employees must also contribute to raising this awareness among customers,” said Al Marashi.

“Those who use the lowest number of plastic bags must be rewarded to encourage the habit among the staff.”

When going to a supermarket, Al Marashi stressed that people should take the initiative of using their own eco-friendly bags.

Given the country uses a whopping 13 billion plastic bags a year, Al Marashi stressed that every individual’s effort matters.