Food store franchise gives away re-usable bags

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The government’s mission of banning all single-use plastics by 2020 continues to pick up steam.

AML Foods Ltd. celebrated Earth Day on Thursday by completely eliminating plastic bags at all of their stores and providing all shoppers with free re-usable bags.

With more than 20,000 re-usable bags given away, AML Foods Ltd. group marketing manager, Khashan Culmer, said this initiative will create a way for citizens to participate in the fight for a sustainable environment.

“It’s like a drill to get people’s mind and mentality to change about plastic bags when they go shopping for groceries or wherever they may have their shopping experiences,” he told Eyewitness News Online.

“And, we try to get them to be more cognizant of how plastics are detrimental to our environment, our marine life, our coral reefs, and just make sure we preserve our country – the beauty of our country – for generations to come.”

With recent revelations concerning the environment, including Carnival Cruise Lines’ vessels dumping treated sewage and food waste in Bahamian waters and the steady decline of native favourites like conch and grouper, Ministry of Environment and Housing Officer, Kendria Ferguson, said that it is crucial to strengthen The Bahamas’ economic security.

“We are a tourism-based country,” Ferguson said.

“We promote sun, sand, and sea.

“So, it’s great for us to really take that initiative one step further.

“Anything to ensure that our economic product is sustained for future economic growth is a great step for The Bahamas.”

Eyewitness News Online spoke to several patrons as they shopped at Solomon’s Super Center.

They each praised the local grocer’s on making a step towards a greener environment.

“Well, I’m delighted to hear that Solomon’s is using reusable bags,” said Michael Missick.

“I’m one who is very much environmentally conscious, and we need to have plastic bags that aren’t bio-degradable to be done away with in this country.

Lisa Barigelli said, “There’s too much plastic in the sea. It used to be glass, but now you find plastic everywhere.

“I’ve got a bad cut on my foot. I went in the sea and under the sand I stumbled across a broken bottle.”

Another shopper, Valin Bodie also expressed support.

“I think it’s a great thing, mainly because I have my degree in sustainability, so sustainability is at the forefront of everything that I do.

“So, I think it is a great thing that us, as a small country, need to take heed of because we’re so small.

“So, any impact to the environment could be a major impact, unlike many other countries, like America or any other bully of the industry.”

Meanwhile, AML Foods Limited Events Marketing Manager, Melissa Major, said the benefits of the initiative may not be immediate, but will come to fruition in the years to come.

“…You will see the long-term effect from this event because we know that our ocean and our coral reefs are suffering now because of people dumping plastics in the ocean, which is poisoning the fish and the ocean bed,” Major said.

“So, this event today and the effects of this, you will definitely see it long-term.”

Remember to always keep the Bahamas clean, green, and pristine.