Govt. rep supports plastic ban transition

By Yolanda Lavata’i 07 January 2019, 12:00AM

Vaoala Government representative, Sooalo Koroseta, says he supports the transition to reusable grocery bags.

He expressed satisfaction, knowing that businesses are prepared for the January 30 deadline.

Speaking in an interview with the Samoa Observer, Sooalo said that the transition is challenging but good for the community, business and environment, and used as an example the Myna’s Supermarket. 

“Honestly, Myna’s was the first shop ever to have implemented the use of reusable grocery bags, and because of them we have seen how great an impact it is for our environment and community,” he said. 

According to the supermarket owner, Myna Vaitupu, they have switched to using reusable grocery bags — due to the increase in plastic pollution in the environment.

“A plastic bag would go to small shopping that can be hand carried, like a can of soda and afterwards they just dispose it outside instead of throwing it away properly,” Myna said.

In the middle of last year, they decided to turn to a more effective way to solve the issue, resulting to the introduction of reusable grocery bags.

“It was new to a lot of our customers but we got so much support as well,” she said and described it as “breaking the habit”. And they were successful. 

Now she said she encourages and supports the direction by the Government to move the country in transitioning for the same cause.

“All I can really say for the businesses is that’s it, go for it. There will be times where you will want to turn back to the old habit of using plastic bags but if you stick to it, customers will learn and respect what you stand for-that it is for a good cause."

By Yolanda Lavata’i 07 January 2019, 12:00AM

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