Dominica: Going Green
“Stores must spend a small fortune on black plastic shopping bags (Dominica imported US$1.3 million of plastic products last year)” writes Steve's Dominica, but says: “All is not lost.”
Written byJanine Mendes-Franco
Written byJanine Mendes-Franco
1 comment
This problem needs to be tackled from the consumer end. I remember one company that tried to institute a small discount if customers brought their own reusable bag. It was a failure. Customers demanded a bag even for a silly small fifty cent item that they could put in a pocket. In fact, there was backlash at the companies policy to only provide plastic bags if the customer ASKED. Customers became irate if a bag was not automatically provided. At a cost of 15-30 cents per plastic bag, store owners cannot afford to give out bags for small purchases. But it is not the fault of the business owners – the public needs to be educated.