UAE | Environment
Shoppers urged to avoid use of plastic bags
Shoppers have been urged to use cotton, jute or other natural bags instead of plastic bags in order to help protect the environment.
- By Daniel Bardsley, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 June 9, 2007
Dubai: Shoppers have been urged to use cotton, jute or other natural bags instead of plastic bags in order to help protect the environment.
The International Association for Human Values in Dubai has said that plastic bags take years to decompose and can be a hazard to wildlife.
In addition, the organisation, which has spoken out against excessive plastic bag use to coincide with World Environment Day, warned that plastic bags release toxic gases when they are burnt.
Discouraging
The organisation said it would like to see a plastic bag fee levied each time someone takes a bag from a store, with the hope this would discourage people from using them.
Sandhya Prakash of the IAHV, which has offices at International Humanitarian City in Dubai, said: "This would make shoppers think before mindlessly taking multiple plastic bags from the grocery stores."
Prakash said since an awareness campaign on the issue was launched a year ago, a large number of schools and colleges had helped to highlight the issue.
She added: "A small change in your habit can go a long way in reducing the number of plastic bags in dump yards.
"Dubai is a shopper's paradise and people should continue to shop, but carry along a few bags with them when they go shopping."
Share this article
More from UAE Environment
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- Khalifa's decree on border affairs council
- Favourable weather for Eid weekend
- Teacher jailed for indecent behaviour
- Forum seeks more reforms to human trafficking law
- Crackdown urged on drink driving
- Disability is no handicap for this Emirati
- Shaikh Khalifa revamps security council
- Exhibition to showcase UAE art in New York
- Police officer injured during raid on brothels
- Waiters tamper with orders, cheat customers
- Queen praises UAE's role
- Noise pollution must be regulated
- Don't slaughter at home — municipality
- Sharjah intensifies food inspections for Eid
- UAE maintains economic status on global stage
Community Reports
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
-
Protect our children's health
Dust and dirt from a nearby road are causing problems to those frequenting Al Nasseriya park, Sharjah.
-
Keeping out curious cats in Abu Dhabi
Felines trapped in electrical substations create a nuisance
-
Construction site turned into dump
Sharjah residents using abandoned spot to dispose of waste
