CEA, Supermarkets unite to deter use of plastic bags by consumers

A coalition of five leading supermarkets announced at a press conference today that, under the patronage of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), they would be launching a campaign from 1 August to completely deter the use of plastic shopping bags by their customers.

After offering eco-friendly alternatives to customers, the five supermarkets - namely, Keells Super, Cargills Food City, Arpico Supercentre, Laugfs SunUp and Magna - will start charging customers who opt to use of plastic bags at the check out counters at all their outlets. The cost of the bags would range from Rs.2-5, depending on the size (small, medium, large).

“As responsible citizens and businesses, we believe that it is our duty and obligation to work towards safeguarding the environment. Under the patronage of the CEA, we are glad to have this opportunity to lead the charge on reducing the use of plastics that contribute greatly to the pollution of the environment.

Understanding, too, our customers’ needs, we have presented a viable and attractive alternative: reusable and eco-friendly bags that will suit their shopping needs; and we strongly urge all our customers to join us in this effort to protect our environment by using these bags every time they shop,” said a spokesperson for the coalition of supermarkets.

The environmentally-friendly alternative for carrying purchases are the reusable, water-proof, non-woven bags that many supermarkets offer customers, such as the colourful bags offered by Aprico Supercentre (the Blue bag), Cargills Food City (the Green bag) and Keells Super (Red bag).

These bags were introduced to the market last year and are now available to customers at a nominal cost at check out counters of all supermarkets. These bags eliminate water seepage and can store meat and other frozen products. Moreover, they come in convenient sizes and can be machine- or hand-washed.

They will also have other alternates such as cardboard boxes, in the event the customers opt to use. Commenting on the initiative, Udaya Gammanpila, Chairman, CEA said, “One of the objectives of the National Policy on Solid Waste Management in Sri Lanka is to ensure the environmental accountability.”

“The policy also recognises that solid waste will be managed in accordance with the 3R principle, with special emphasis on waste preventive approaches.

The initiative taken by the leading supermarkets in the country, namely Arpico Supercentre, Cargills Food City, Keells Super, Laugfs SunUp and Magna, is aligned with the national needs and objectives and I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and well wishes for the successful implementation of this programme. I sincerely hope that other entrepreneurs in the trade, too, would follow in the footsteps of these leading supermarkets.”