UAE supermarkets slow to move on bags

Dubai: The vast majority of supermarkets in the UAE don't charge shoppers for plastic bags and very few offer a viable alternative.

Only one UAE-based chain has so far imposed a fee on plastic carriers, and only three offer customers the chance to purchase a reusable bag.

Last month, Ibn Battuta hypermarket Geant introduced a 25 fils fee for plastic carriers to coincide with UAE Environment Day. Within a week their usage had dropped by half.

Jean Marc Lebrun, Chief Operating Officer at Geant, said: "We need to show we are not only here to sell items but to be a citizen company. Customers asked us a lot of questions when the charge was introduced but we no longer have any complaints. Shoppers know it is normal for hypermarkets to charge for plastic bags and it works well for us."

He added: "We have no further plans regarding plastic bags at the moment but we will continue to analyse the situation."

No other supermarket in the UAE plans to introduce a fee for plastic bags. But several stores are considering a number of initiatives to help eradicate them.

Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society and Carrefour both allow customers to purchase a reusable cloth or jute bag and Spinneys has insulation bags for sale. Bijoy Thomas, Marketing and Advertising Manager for Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society, said: "We are trying to limit [plastic bag] use by providing shoppers with the option of buying reusable shopping bags at a subsidised price of less than Dh2 per bag. We are working on a plan to recycle plastic bags."

Kamal Vachani, Director of Al Maya Group, said: "We are working on [introducing an alternative to plastic bags] but we have not decided on anything yet. However, we are going to do something in the near future."

Lulu Hypermarket is also interested in introducing alternative carriers.

Nanda Kumar, Corporate Communications Manager of Emkay Group, which owns Lulu Hypermarket, said: "We have no plans to start charging for plastic bags. But we are working on a campaign to reduce their use, which will be launched shortly. We also plan to introduce bags that are more eco-friendly."

Johannes CF Holtzhausen, Chief Executive Officer of Spinneys, said: "We have a plan, but cannot immediately elaborate on it."

Manoj Thanwani, General Manager of Choithram Group, said it would be inappropriate to penalise consumers with a surcharge for plastic bags.

He said: "We will be introducing jute bags, cotton bags and a canvas bag to coincide with our campaign in the forthcoming weeks."

The Dubai branches of Marks & Spencer (M&S) have no plan to charge for plastic, which its UK stores will begin doing in May.

The Dubai branch has no plans to implement a charge but it does plan to introduce organic bags soon, a scheme M&S' UK stores had in place before announcing the charge.

- With inputs from Himendra Mohan Kumar

Paper bags, paper bags, everywhere. I can bet that in five years we will be shouting ourselves hoarse that paper bags are destroying our forests and hence contributing even more seriously to global warming. Also, please ask a paper industry engineer as to how polluting the paper manufacturing process is. Biodegradable plastic bags are now available. They are a lot more expensive but they are not made from fossil fuel and they go back to earth and create a valuable manure. The problem which our supermarkets will face is; "WHAT COST?" But then, what is the cost of saving our planet?
Aster
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 15:22

It is an advisable step to avoid the problems that have happened from bad human habits. By taking this step, everyone will be aware about the negative impact of plastic bags because there are few restrictions on people by setting charges on plastic bags. As a result, the pollution will be reduced and our camel population will be in a safe and clean environment. I hope all supermarkets apply charges on plastic bags and offer alternative bags as soon as they can.
Moza
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 14:51

How would you convince people not to use plastic bags and use reusable bags? This is quite difficult. I disagree with those outlets pretending to be so eco-friendly and starting to think about the environment all of a sudden, forgetting the fact that they are the ones who introduced plastic bags to us! If they really want to stop plastic consumption, they would have completely stopped using it in their shops instead of just talking without any actions.
Sara
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 14:43

I think charging for plastic bags is not enough because it is only 25 fils. Supermarkets should stop using plastic bags and start using non-plastic alternative bags. Plastic bags, as we know, are dangerous for camels especially in the UAE because hundreds of camels have died because of plastic bags. As a result, I wish all supermarkets would stop offering plastic bags to the costumers.
Sara
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 14:39

I agree that people should use paper bags instead of plastic bags First, to protect the environment from pollution and secondly to protect the animals from eating plastic bags.
Hamda
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 11:52

I am happy because some shops in the UAE have done away with the use of plastic bags.
Hamda
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 11:23

I liked this article because it is a good step towards protecting our environment. And I hope all people use paper bags to help camels.
Sara
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 11:22

In my opinion, it is a good idea to bring a paper bag with me when I go to the supermarket. Paper bags can be used everywhere and when I finish, I put it in my car to be used again.
Shaikha
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 11:00

I think it is fine to charge for plastic bags, but they should also allow customers to give the plastic bags back and get money in exchange.
Almurar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 10:57

It is not proper for supermarkets to charge for the use of plastic bags, they have to have an alternative way wherein they do not need to charge the consumer, such as promoting brown paper bags like they do in the States. It is already a big help for them that the consumers bought their goods, do you think it is still proper to charge them for the plastic they used for the goods they bought?
Margaret
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 10:38

Instead of jute or plastic bags and charging for them, supermarkets should provide their empty cartons for shoppers to use. This helps us to recycle the cartons and is more economical.
Gigi
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 09:15

Does anyone know of a supplier in the UAE of the small paper bags that customers can use to 'bag up' their fruit and vegetables? The use of paper bags (made from recycled paper) instead of the plastic ones would significantly reduce plastic consumption.
Jodie
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 08:30

For paper bag lovers: Do you know how many trees were cut down just to make one small paper bag?
Joseph
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 24, 2008, 00:13

Yes, it is a good step towards protecting our environment. I go to a convenience store in Dubai Media City on a regular basis, where they provide plastic bags for free, and I get offered a plastic bag each time I buy something, even a drink. But I refuse to have a bag as long as I can hold the items with my hands comfortably, even if it is two or three items. What's the point, you have to get rid of it soon anyway, so why have it? I generally find plastic bags very suffocating and irritating to look at, let alone considering other environmental issues.
Shakir
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 17:35

I agree with Salma that all supermarkets must use paper bags. Charging for bags is not correct, as customers are already paying so much on their goods .
Naeem
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 16:46

My home country of Ireland was one of the first countries to introduce payment for plastic bags, and it has had a very positive effect on the environment. There has been a noticeable clean-up of our roads and landscaped areas, with less plastic bags dumped or thrown in public spaces. This should be encouraged, a levy is charged by the retailer which goes towards recycling activities for a greener environment. Hopefully the UAE will move in this direction and win the population over.
Noel
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 16:34

All major supermarkets and other outlets should supply paper bags in place of plastic bag and they charge a very small amount. How much expense would these businesses incur? Supermarkets and public people should share equally and work together to help in reducing the over-spilling waste in the country and for a better environment.
Nawaz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 14:37

I firmly admire the role played by Ikea to refuse plastic bags and give the shoppers paper bags as the only option. Nevertheless, to charge the shoppers as is the practice by some traders is strongly rejected because it will not have any positive impact on plastic bag usage.
Riyazuddin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 12:50

Some supermarkets are in fear of losing business if they introduce charges for the plastic bags. Most people feel uncomfortable using reusable bags. The government should provide plastic bags to supermarkets by charging them and supermarkets should charge the customers. Then we can reduce the use of plastic bags. These bags should have a nice logo and a slogan to educate the people so that we can have a better world to live in. Environmental groups in the UAE should also actively be involved in this process.
Laxman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 12:23

Supermarkets are getting better in understanding the ecologic aspect of the use of plastic bags, at least you don't have to fight with the packers anymore to get them to use less bags or to use the jute bag you brought.
Maryam
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 12:15

All major supermarkets and other outlets should follow in the footsteps of Ikea and supply their customers with paper bags only. How much expense would these businesses incur if they were to implement this? In fact, even the smaller supermarkets and groceries should start supplying paper bags. This would definitely help in reducing the over-spilling waste in the country.
Lesley-Ann
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 11:42

I feel that charging the customer for plastic bags is not appropriate as every commodity has become dearer compared to earlier times. If they want to charge then there should be an option to return old bags in exchange for money. Alternatively, the supermarkets should allow the customer to bring back their own bags or instruct the staff at the counter to utilise the minimum number of plastic bags.
Mathews
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 11:35

I believe that the right idea is there, but it lacks initiative and education. I think that most people who understand the environmental impact of plastic bags would be surprised if they started asking the general public whether or not they understood why plastic bags are harmful. A simple search on the web would enlighten many.
Rob
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 10:56

Most supermarkets in the UAE produce low-grade plastic bags that can't carry anything more than three items per bag. If better plastic bags were used then consumers would "recycle" and re-use them. Paper bags should be available.
Simon
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 10:46

I think it is fine to charge for plastic bags, but they should also allow customers to give the plastic bag and get money in exchange. This will encourage customers to return the bags. The returned bags can then be recycled.
Sojan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 10:15

I normally encourage baggers at the supermarket to fill up the bags with the maximum number of items. This way less bags are used.
Jay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 10:03

Supermarkets might be very happy charging for plastic bags, because this is less expense for them, but they have to realise that many of the items they are selling are packed in plastic bags. What will they do about it? It has again become an additional expense to shoppers.
Salma
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 09:16

I feel that all supermarkets must use paper bags and stop giving out plastic bags to customers. Charging for bags is not correct as customers are already paying so much on their goods.
Jayashree
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: March 23, 2008, 08:47