A group of women concerned about the wanton use of plastics in the city launched the Bag Bay Inc which will make available paper bags for shopping and other uses as the groups hopes to educate and inspire the public to switch from plastics to a more environmentally friendly option.
Spearheaded and managed by six women, three of whom are abroad, including Lucia Desir-John, the Director of D&J Shipping; Gillian Yaw, Nola Sinclair, Managing Director of Paper Trail; Coreen Alleyne and Eulene Sinclair, the project was launched on Saturday at the Herdmanston Lodge.
Long before the government announced its intention to ban the use of Styrofoam boxes, the women came up with the idea to offer the public bio-degradable bags to wrap their purchases. As such, they conducted a survey among businesses in the year 2000 to test the marketability of their idea. At the time, the study revealed that most businesses preferred to continue to use plastic bags; but another survey done this year revealed that many had changed their outlook.
The women believe that this undertaking will ignite the transformation of Guyana into an environmentally friendly place and inspire a general improvement in sanitation. Over the years, Guyana has seen a marked reduction in sanitation standards and it is now normal to see mounds of garbage in several sections of the city, piled high with mainly plastic and Styrofoam waste. Several city drains and trenches are also clogged with plastics; blocking waterways and adding to flooding woes during the rainy season. This growing problem had been highlighted by the media, many organizations, schools and individuals and the women took the initiative to embark on a project to offer a viable alternative.
The Bag Bay Inc will offer a wide range of paper bags of varying types and sizes, including bags for supermarket shopping, fast food and pharmaceuticals. Individuals and businesses can also exercise the option to have their bags custom-designed.
The group says currently their bags are being sourced from North America but they would welcome any local manufacturer who could produce them to their quality and standard, in a sustainable fashion.
The first supply of bags will be available at August month-end when the business opens its doors at Lot 302 Church Street.
