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Get Rewarded for Choosing Well! |
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by Rosa Domingos | 28-10-2018 19:29
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Ever wondered whether the day would come where a supermarket gives you money for re-using plastic bags? Well...Shoprite Holdings, South Africa’s biggest supermarket chain, said it would pay customers for reusing its newly introduced recyclable bag as it joined domestic rivals in efforts to curb plastic pollution. Which is a great idea! I wish this idea started way back when when the issue of plastic pollution gained momentum. This has come due to the fact that they have come under increased pressure to cut their use of plastic as images of littered oceans and beaches have become common, shocking both consumers and shareholders. Sadly, my Country does not have a law banning plastic bags. However, to reduce littering and discourage customers from buying them, South Africa increased the plastic bag levy in April by 50% to 12 cents per bag. Remember that I had mentioned this in a previous article? Shoprite said every time a customer reuses its new 100% recycled and recyclable plastic bag, which retails for R3 a pop, at Shoprite and Checkers stores, they will get 50 cents off their grocery purchase. “Changing consumer behaviour by rewarding customers for re-using bags is a critical part of the retailer’s efforts to reduce plastic waste,” it said in a statement. The retailer added that packaging of all broccoli, cauliflower, baby marrows, patty pans, baby gems, squash variety and fruit packs will switch to fully biodegradable and comfortable containers from early November. Shoprite’s move comes weeks after department store chain Woolworths Holdings said it will remove single-use plastic bags from one of its stores during a six-month trial period. Last Tuesday, supermarket chain Pick n Pay said it had removed all plastic straws from checkouts and will soon completely phase them out from cold-drink kiosks and replace them with paper straws,joining a growing number of companies that have said they will do away with disposable plastic straws. The U.N. Environment Programme estimates that some 8 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into the ocean every year - the equivalent of dumping a garbage truck full of plastic every minute - killing birds and marine life and compromising the ocean ecosystem.
Polluted shore, Oct 24 (ewn.co.za) It wants to eliminate single-use plastic by 2022 and says more than 60 countries, including China, France, Rwanda and Italy, have taken steps to ban or reduce plastic consumption. In my opinion, rewarding consumers with 50c compared to the R3 they pay is unjustifiable. Rather than just paying customers, they should (like Woolworths) phase out plastic use. It's one way of ensurring that plastic pollution is controlled. Reuters,. 2018. SHOPRITE TO PAY SA CUSTOMERS FOR REUSING PLASTIC BAGS. [Online]. Available: https://ewn.co.za/2018/10/24/shoprite-to-pay-sa-customers-for-reusing-plastic-bags. Oct 24, 2018. Accessed: Oct 28, 2018. |
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14 Comments
Hey Eli,
With time, I am sure that this will be done!
Posted 07-11-2018 14:47
Hi Gyeongrin!
They have done a good job in interlinking their operational plans with environmental safety. Shoprite does have a few of its retail stores in other African continents, so I am sure that they will let this implementation stage filter through.
Thank you so much Gyeongrin!
Posted 07-11-2018 14:46
That's a great idea, I wish markets in Mexico do the same
Posted 02-11-2018 13:24
Hello Rosa!
This report really shows us how companies could lead environmental innovation through operational methods.
To make sure that these eco-friendly retail markets could maintain such a positive impact in this society, supports of this policy from customers should be paralleled throughout the process!
Hope these kinds of actions could be expanded to a broader span!
Thanks for introducing good cases on beating plastics :)
Posted 31-10-2018 23:37
Hello Joon!
I concur, the regional ambassadors are really true supports of the environment and their fellow members. It's good to see these retail companies really pushing the boundaries and laying the foundations for good governance. We are combating plastic pollution one plastic at a time.
Thank you!
Posted 31-10-2018 23:04
Hello Rosa, I see quite many feedbacks from our regional ambassadors!
Keeping or making up the good relationship with the shop or company you mentioned in your report would truly make a huge difference to overall acknowledgement level of people using plastic bags and other pollutant materials.
Also, suggesting or publicizing the list of advantages that customers would earn will trigger further participation of them in near future too!
Thanks for your report :)
Posted 31-10-2018 20:17
Hey there Muskhan!
Thank you for reading up the report, these retailers are starting somewhere, are they not? D
Posted 29-10-2018 19:15
Hey Asmita!
Thank you for reading my report! It really is a good sight to see Shoprite pushing into the notion of the 4R's.
Posted 29-10-2018 19:14
Hi Kushal!
Like you, I too ma pleased with the advancements made by the retail market. It is high time that all markets understand the gravity of the problem and find ways to mitigate them.
Thanks Kushal!
Posted 29-10-2018 19:12
Hi Rosa di,
Glad to know about the initiative of Shoprite and other supermarket chains in Africa.
Thanks for sharing! :)
Posted 29-10-2018 12:08
It??s interesting to hear Shoprite initiative. This is a significant step towards 4R??s rule.
Thank you so much Rosa sis for this wonderful report.
Posted 29-10-2018 01:19
Happy to hear about the initiative taken by Shoprite. Its necessary for the every sector to work for the reduce and reuse of plastic to eradicate the problem of plastic pollution.
Posted 29-10-2018 00:38
Hey Israel!
I really do hope that this objective would touch base with other Shoprite branches in other African countries as well! It is a good idea that they have started and I hope it cathes on quickly.
Thank you for reading my report Israel!
Posted 28-10-2018 22:24
Hi Rosa,
It is interesting to hear that Shoprite, being the biggest Supermarket in Africa, now encourages plastic resuse. Since they have many outlets in many African countries, especially here Nigeria, I hope they extend the new developments here too.
The plastic phase-out process is a progressive one especially in an African community. So, placing a discount for plastic-bag reuse is a good start. We will get there one day.
Thanks for the report.
Posted 28-10-2018 21:21