Italian organic retailer EcorNaturaSì has teamed up with NGO Legambiente to introduce reusable bags for fruit and vegetables.
The first initiative of its kind in Italy, it provides for the distribution of 100,000 reusable bags for fruit and vegetables in more than 500 specialised organic stores under the banners NaturaSì and Cuorebio.
Single-Use Plastic Problem
The move comes after the introduction of the new European directive to reduce plastic pollution, which proposes a ban on single-use plastics, such as drinking straws.
According to Eurostat data, Italy is the seventh largest producer of plastic waste in Europe, and in the last 16 years, per capita production has increased slightly from 34.19 kilograms to 35.05 kilograms per year.
The reusable bags, which are seen as a major step in the reduction of unnecessary waste, are made of polyester, and are washable, breathable, and reusable. The eight-gram bags are equipped with a small green cord for closure, weigh 8 grams, and have a unit cost of €1.85.
Reducing Plastic Pollution
According to the national president of Legambiente, Stefano Ciafani, the introduction of reusable bags has decreased the use of disposable shopping bags in Italy by 55% in the last five years.
He highlighted Italy’s contributions to the European strategy for the fight against plastic pollution, including legislation banning plastic disposable bags, non-compostable cotton buds, and microplastics in cosmetic products.
The president of EcornaturaSì, Fabio Brescacin, has also announced plans to also introduce reusable cotton bags to the chain.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine
