Major retailers join fight against plastic bags
Of all the plastic ever made, half has been produced in the last 15 years, which is why we were the first UAE retailer to introduce reusable bags back in 2007.
Bernardo Perloir, chief operating officer, UAE, Majid Al Futtaim Retail
Major retailers will limit single-use plastic bags across the UAE and replace them with natural alternatives. A ban on the single-use of plastic bags came into effect on June 1 in Abu Dhabi, while Dubai will implement a ban from July 1.
Locally-owned supermarket Spinneys said it will put a stop to single-use plastic bags in its stores across the UAE. It removed single-use plastic bags in Abu Dhabi from June 1 and will do the same in Dubai from July 1.
Spinneys will also reward shoppers by giving them 25 fils off their total grocery bill every time they bring a bag with them when they come to shop.
Sophie Corcut, sustainability manager at Spinneys, said the retailer will support the national target to completely ban all disposable bags in the UAE by 2024. “We will introduce rewards and initiatives to help our customers adopt an ecofriendly way of living. It’s great to see the single-use plastic bags being re-purposed into something practical and stylish,” said Corcut.
Carrefour, which is owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim, said it will replace singleuse plastic bags at checkout counters with starch alternatives in all stores across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The new starch bags, which take less than six months to fully decompose, will be available for 25 fils at Carrefour stores across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain from June 1 and in Dubai from July 1.
“Of all the plastic ever made, half has been produced in the last 15 years, which is why we were the first UAE retailer to introduce reusable bags back in 2007. Since 2019, we have sold 4 million reusable bags at Carrefour stores across the UAE,” said Bernardo Perloiro, chief operating officer UAE at Majid Al Futtaim Retail.
Customers at Carrefour can also find reusable bags made using paper, woven, juco, and canvas materials, which are equivalent to five regular bags and can carry many more items. The brand will offer bonus Share points for purchases of the new reusable bags.
The Dubai-based retailer Union Coop will also limit single-use plastic bags. “Consumers do not have to worry about anything as Union Coop will offer them several options instead of single-use plastic bags, including cloth bags that can be used multiple times. The best part is that these are washable and recyclable,” said Mohammed Berregad Alfalasi, admin affairs director, Union Coop.