Smart shopping at Rockwell
MANILA, Philippines - More and more people are learning about the perils of plastic.
Years ago, it was like we were programmed to automatically accept the use of plastic bags when going to the supermarket or shopping. Today, we are more conscious of the adverse consequences of the use of plastic bags on the environment.
Several malls, shops and establishments have gone active encouraging their customers to use reusable bags instead of plastic.
Popularly known as eco-friendly bags or just eco-bags, these pro-environment sacks made of fabric are lightweight, foldable and easy to bring along anywhere. One proponent of the use of these eco-bags is Smart Communications Inc., the country’s leading wireless services provider.
“When you visit the Smart Store in Power Plant Mall, Rockwell to get a Smart phone kit, we will pack it for you with a free Smart reusable eco-bag,” says Frances Ching, manager, Smart’s Brand Equity Management. She’s also in charge of retail merchandising.
“Through this initiative, we aim to build consciousness among our customers to, as much as possible, refrain from using plastic bags. We encourage them to use their Smart eco-bags whenever they go to the malls, supermarkets or just about anywhere the bag may come in handy,” Ching adds.
Smart’s reusable eco-bags are made of light but sturdy fabric, ideal for long-time use. It has a simple blue design, and multi-purpose pockets. Not too big and not too small, it is also perfect for daily use in schools, offices or during trips.
“Soon all Smart Stores all over the country will be giving out free Smart eco-bags to Smart customers,” says Ching. “This is part of the company’s efforts to use earth-friendly alternatives to the materials we use in our stores and in our outdoor advertising and merchandising. Aside from these eco-bags, we are also using paper bags made of recycled paper. Recently, we tested the use of oxo-degradable materials for our store banners.”
According to data from World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), around 500 million to one trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide, every year. Most of these plastics accumulate in landfills and bodies of water.
Did you know that the world’s plastics have already created what is referred to as “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch”? Located in the northern part of Pacific Ocean, it is, put simply, an island of floating garbage, composed mainly of plastics and other debris harmful to the environment and marine animals.
Environmental advocates are strongly recommending the use of reusable environment friendly bags instead of plastic. When you bring your own eco-bags to shop for groceries, you avoid the use of three to five plastic bags. Multiply that by the number of times you shop for groceries a year, and that’s your contribution to the world’s mission of lessening the use of these pollutants.
The use of the earth-friendly material is in alignment with Smart’s other pro-environment programs under its corporate social responsibility and community service arm Kabalikat.
Get a free eco-bag when you purchase Smart products at the Smart Store in Power Plant Mall and do your share to save the environment.
