* Initiative aims to increase awareness about single-use plastic bag pollution to mark the occasion of World Cleanup Day

To mark the occasion of World Cleanup Day, Carrefour in Qatar and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) on Tuesday launched a new campaign to curb the use of single-use plastic bags.

The event included distribution of awareness brochures and reusable bags to the public.

Under the campaign, Carrefour will observe 'No Plastic Tuesdays' on the third Tuesday of each month, starting on Tuesday, by eliminating single-use plastic bags from cash counters and offering customers eco-bags free of charge instead, according to a press statement.

Moreover, single-use plastic bags will be replaced with paper alternatives in the fruits and vegetables section.

Carrefour will also reward its loyal MyCLUB members for each purchase with 10 MyClub points on each transaction.

Nawf Omar Bakhamis, head of Awareness at the MME's Public Relations Department, stressed the importance of enhancing environmental education

among all segments of society and engaging them in more eco-friendly causes.

She said the ministry’s participation in Tuesday's event reflects its support for the efforts and environmental initiatives of civil society organisations, adding that environmental well-being is a combined responsibility of all ministries, organisations, companies and individuals.

Further, she noted that the event comes in co-operation with Carrefour Qatar and with the participation of inspectors from Al Rayyan Municipality with the purpose of familiarising the public with the best ways to use eco-friendly bags and the benefits behind that, and the need to limit the use of single-use plastic bags.

Laurent Hausknecht, country manager of Carrefour in Qatar, said: “Sustainability is a core element of our strategy and comes in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. Following the success of our previous initiative on International Plastic Bag Free Day, we chose to introduce 'No Plastic Tuesdays' to maintain momentum. We encourage all our customers to visit our stores on the third Tuesday of each month to collect their complimentary eco-bags, but most importantly, we ask that they remember to bring it along during every trip so that we’re one step closer to ensuring a single-use plastic free Qatar.”

Apart from championing various eco-friendly initiatives through the year, Carrefour is also investing heavily in several areas designed to reduce its environmental impact, the statement notes. For example, green checkout counters have been implemented in stores nationwide, while MyCLUB

members receive 10 extra points anytime they shop at Carrefour without consuming single-use plastic bags.

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