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CAMPAIGNING housewives are determined to help the kingdom turn green and stem the scourge of plastic bags littering the island.
Inspired by former US vice-president Al Gore’s movie, Inconvenient Truth, the American Women’s Association is launching an eco-friendly ‘reusable shopping bag’ for shoppers.
“We are women – head of the household. We are making a statement as women to bring the issue of the havocs caused by plastic into every home,” said Mona Omar, president of the AWA in Bahrain.
“In June, we held a meeting on global warming with the viewing of this movie. It triggered a thought of what might be a tangible idea for making a difference in Bahrain.
“People talk about global warming and its issues. This can be their first step towards doing their part to save the environment.
“In Bahrain, plastic bags are strewn across road sides, beaches and even national heritage sites.
“I had just returned from my hometown California when they had passed a law banning the use of plastic bags, most specifically in supermarkets and drug stores.”
Inspired, the group took its idea to the Al Jazira supermarket in Zinj and approached executive Subash Sahani.
“He did not laugh at us ... he welcomed the fact that a bunch of women came in with a genuine idea and it was accepted,” said Mrs Omar.
AWA now acts as distributors and Al Jazira has become its first customer. The next aim is to get the green message across to the younger generation in schools.
Marina Ereli, wife of US ambassador to Bahrain Adam Ereli and the honorary president of the AWA said: “You need to teach children – they are our future.”
The bags will be launched at the AWA Fall Craft Fair on October 27 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre which will be held from 1pm to 6pm. The bags are being manufactured in India and the first 5,000 are due to arrive shortly.
They are made up of a synthetic fibre and come in four colours – black, red, green and blue … priced at BD1.5.
They bags are washable, sturdy, convenient and also look elegant.
Ms Omar said: “As sole distributors of these bags, we hope to sell them to all major supermarkets and retail stores.”
The organisation has set the three main principals that they wish to accomplish by the sale of these bags:
To educate and raise awareness of the use of plastic and paper bags and how harmful they are to our environment.
To empower people to take action and spread the word by getting in the habit of bringing your own shopping bags to shop.
To offer an alternative to plastic bags by selling reusable shopping bags and thus enabling people to consume less plastic and paper bags.
Ms Ereli added: “We want to be more involved in the community and have a desire to make a difference in the environment in which we live.”
Ms Omar added: “Ours is an international group with 36 different nationalities in our midst – all concerned about this island. We want to keep Bahrain clean and beautiful.
“We are really proud of this project.
“This is for a greener Bahrain.”
If any individual or retail outlet is interested Mrs Omar can be contacted on 39619630.
