Greener path to the shop

Dubai: Her children will never use a plastic bag. German expatriate mother Rita Amer has made this conscious decision.

It is a tough call in an age where polyethylene bags are as ubiquitous as traffic cones. Amer said: "My children have started using plastic drinking bottles since we moved to the UAE a year ago from Germany, but I will never allow them to use a plastic bag."

Her children Faras, 11, and Hana, 13, are not complaining. Their mother has not used a plastic bag for over three decades.

Eco-awareness

This was partly due to her life in Germany where she grew up at a time when the country was going through a wave of change.

"Germany was part of the eco-awareness phase in the 1970s. That helped me grow up with all such 'green' practices like using solar panels at home and barely using plastic bags," she said.

She recently switched from her reusable bags to a plastic box. "I've been carrying a reusable bag ever since I can remember. The plastic box is also very practical as it doesn't weigh much and can hold many things. Plus, it's easier to carry," she said.

She packs her groceries directly into the box, which resembles a laundry basket. Filled with her regular groceries, the box is a unique sight in supermarket isles as other residents continue to struggle with plastic.

Amer said supermarket staff has been more than helpful with this unique habit, once they found out the reason behind it.

"I am delighted to see that Gulf News' 'No to Plastic Bags' campaign is gaining momentum. For me using plastic bags for shopping is a sign of ignorance and bringing my own box for my shopping is very natural to me."

She also ensures her family's carbon footprint is minimal. With a compost pit at home, her garden is never out of much needed fertiliser. She also makes sure appliances are switched off when not in use and the air-conditioning is turned on only late into summer.

Amer understands the importance of picking up these habits early in life, and she makes sure she passes them on to her son and daughter.