Supermarket chains to shun plastic bags

With the cooperative stores in Sharjah deciding to use biodegradable plastic bags instead of the normal plastic bags in a bid to reduce pollution, some of the leading supermarket chains in the UAE are also mulling over an alternative to these bags.

The Sharjah Cooperative had signed an agreement with the Fujairah Plastic Factory under which the stores would be using plastic bags which take a maximum of four to nine months to degrade unlike the normal plastic bags which remain in earth for thousands of years.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Nand Kumar, Corporate Communications and Advertising Manager of the Emke Group, which runs the LuLu supermarket chain, said, “We are presently studying a lot of options and would be ready with an alternative to plastic bags by May. We are planning to introduce reusable bags. Jute bags can be a good option. By next month, we would launch the alternative bags in our supermarkets."

Kamal Vachani, Director of the Al Maya Group, said they would be introducing both jute and paper bags in some of their select supermarkets in a matter of weeks.

"Plastic takes a lot of time to degrade and is harmful to the environment. And the government of UAE is also taking a lot of initiatives to ensure a clean environment. Taking a cue from them, we would also do our bit and would start with the introduction of paper and jute bags in some of our supermarkets in the coming weeks. We would be extending it to all our chains in the future," he pointed out.

Representatives of Spinneys also said they were looking into a lot of options at the moment.

“We have been selling reusable ambient bags for dry items and reusable insulated bags for cold products in our supermarkets. The reusable ambient bag costs Dh4.95 and the insulated ones Dh9.95," said an official who requested anonymity.

Meanwhile, senior officials of the Dubai Municipality also said that they are in talks with some international companies regarding the supply of an alternative to plastic bags.