Doha - As a part of its continued efforts to reduce the millions of plastic bags that pollute the Qatar's ecosystem every year, Carrefour, the region largest retailer will encourage to replace plastic bags at its checkout counters with reusable bags. Carrefour Qatar had already launched these bags in June 2007 as an alternative to plastic bags.
Carrefour, operated by Majid Al Futtaim Hypermarket, will make the "Eco bag" available in all its stores: a 31 litre reusable bag costing QR 0.50 and a 48 litre reusable bag worth QR 2.50. Both bags are recyclable and if damaged at any point, will be replaced at any Carrefour outlet free of charge for life. Carrefour will not make any profit from the sale of these bags.
The move is in line with Carrefour determination to eliminate the use of all plastic bags at its outlet. Carrefour's use of reusable bags aims to reduce the pollution caused by plastic bags to the ecosystem.
The reusable bag introduced by Carrefour in Qatar is a part of its bigger efforts to improve the natural habitat of the communities it operates in. Carrefour has in the past been involved in other campaigns such as beach clean up operations.
Carrefour was prompted to action by the increased damage being caused by plastic bags worldwide. Every year an estimated 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide which translates to use of 2 million bags every minute. Plastic bags contain chemical additives like cadmium and mercury that lead to environmental pollution. Producing plastic bags require the use of petroleum and natural gas causing wastage of precious energy in the manufacturing process. Plastic bags are not biodegradable, and their improper disposal injures and kills many marine animals.
© The Peninsula 2009
