CEA, supermarkets to deter use of plastic bags

A spokesman for the coalition of five leading supermarkets told a media briefing that they launched a campaign from August 1 to completely deter the use of plastic shopping bags by their customers under the patronage of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) .

After offering eco-friendly alternatives to customers, the five supermarkets - namely, Keells Super, Cargills Food City, Arpico Supercentre, Laugfs SunUp and Magna - will start charging customers who opt to use of plastic bags at the check out counters at all their outlets.

The cost of the bags would range from Rs. 2-5, depending on the size (small, medium, large).

As responsible citizens and businesses, we believe that it is our duty and obligation to work towards safeguarding the environment.

Under the patronage of the CEA, we are glad to have this opportunity to lead the charge on reducing the use of plastics that contribute greatly to the pollution of the environment. Understanding, too, our customers' needs.

we have presented a viable and attractive alternative: reusable and eco-friendly bags that will suit their shopping needs and we strongly urge all our customers to join us in this effort to protect our environment by using these bags every time they shop," the spokesman said.

The environmentally-friendly alternative for carrying purchases are the reusable, water-proof, non-woven bags that many supermarkets offer customers, such as the colourful bags offered by Aprico Supercentre (Blue bag), Cargills Food City (Green bag) and Keells Super (Red bag).

These bags were introduced to the market last year and are now available to customers at a nominal cost at check out counters of all supermarkets.

These bags eliminate water seepage and can store meat and other frozen products. Moreover, they come in convenient sizes and can be machine or handwashed.