‘Green Bag Day’ to raise public awareness on dangers of plastic bags
GIS - Thursday, June 28th, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Students handed reusable grocery bags during June’s Environment Month Green Matters Exposition at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park. (Photo credit: Mr. Ronnielle Frazer/GIS)
Wednesday, June 27 – The Conservation and Fisheries Department in collaboration with local businesses encourages residents to participate in ‘Green Bag Day,’ intended to protect the environment against plastic bags.
On Saturday, June 30, the Department along with BVI Electricity Corporation, WorldHouse Caribbean, Green VI and Road Town Wholesale will partner with local supermarkets to distribute more than 3,500 reusable grocery bags.
Between the hours of 11a.m. and 2 p.m. patrons at local supermarkets will leave with reusable shopping bags and persons who already have reusable bags are encouraged to use them on ‘Green Bag Day’.
Commenting on the initiative, Acting Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer, Mr. Kelvin Penn said, “Green Bag Day is intended to heighten public awareness about the dangers of plastic bags and encourage the use of ‘green’ reusable bags that are an easy, safe and affordable replacement for grocery shopping”.
“This is the perfect time during Environment Month to remind everyone that a small change can make a big difference in reducing waste, saving money and driving sustainable choices in the Territory,” he expressed.
Mr. Arlington Pickering of the Conservation and Fisheries Department bags groceries in a local supermarket promoting reusable green bags. (Photo credit: Mr. Reynold Corum/GIS)
Speaking on the dangers of plastic bags, Mrs. Charlotte McDevitt, Director of Green VI, highlighted that plastic bags make up the highest percentage of litter found in the Virgin Islands and in burning they are known to release chemicals which can cause cancer.
“Plastic blocks drains, increase the risk of flooding and kill marine life through strangulation and ingestion,” she further added.
Volunteers of this initiative will be stationed at check out points of participating supermarkets to explain why reusable bags are much needed in sustaining the environment.
Participating supermarkets include Road Town Wholesale and Rite Way Foodmarkets, One Mart, Bobby’s Market Place, A Value, Supa Value, Buck’s Food Market and Rosy’s Supermarket.
Green Bag Day also has the support of the Governor’s Office and Harney’s who have sponsored green bags through Worldhouse Caribbean and volunteers assisting with Green Bag Day will be given Green VI reusable bags that have been sponsored by Ogier.
Green Bag Day is among the activities in celebration of June’s Environment Month under the theme, “The Green Economy: Does it Include You?”
As a wrap-up to the month’s activities, a Sunset Service will be held at Cane Garden Bay on Saturday, June 30 at 5:30 p.m. and Fisherman’s Day on Monday, July 2 at Long Bay Beef Island Beach from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Conservation and Fisheries Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour is responsible for sustainable management of the Natural Resources of the Virgin Islands.
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Hope this program is extended to Virgin Gorda.
yes it is..
here in the BVI we are fortunate to have turtles in our waters and that come ashore to lay their eggs. Apparantly plastic bags floating in the water resemble jelly fish. Sea turtles eat jellyfish and because of our littering many sea turtles eat the plastic bags which clog up their digestic tracts and ultimately kill them. These grand creatures are dying because of us!! There are so many species suffering because of plastic products that are even being found as poisonous to we humans. Let’s cut back on plastic and use biodegradable products when necessary.
As a note many groceries I’ve visited in other countries have empty cardboard boxes from the bulk food products available for free by the checkout counters for persons to transport their groceries in as opposed to plastic bags.
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