French hypermarket chain Géant and its supermarket subsidiary, Le Marché partnered with Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF volunteers to raise awareness on the negative impacts of plastic bags, and to encourage its customers to switch to reusable bags in support of its ‘No Plastic Bag campaign’ at its Ibn Battuta mall outlet. This comes as part of Géant/Le Marché’s continued efforts to reduce the use of plastic bags, and it’s commitment to support EWS-WWF’s environmental causes and initiatives.
 EWS-WWF volunteers distributed re-usable bags and informative leaflets, to encourage Géant/Le Marché customers to reduce the use of disposable plastic bags. To encourage customers to use re-usable bags, Géant/Le Marché are asking their customers to borrow a plastic bag for a deposit of 25fils. When the bag is returned, the deposit is refunded to the customer. For those choosing to recycle their bags elsewhere, Géant/Le Marché donates the 25fils deposit to EWS-WWF, in support of its different environmental initiatives and activities. This in turn is contributing to EWS-WWF’s mission to reduce the Ecological Footprint, tackle climate change and preserve biodiversity. Géant/Le Marché donate the proceeds from this long-running No Plastic Bag campaign to the EWS-WWF, who use the funds to sustain specific environmental projects in the UAE. This year, the joint initiative has helped raise a further AED 200,000 in support of environmental conservation. The ‘No Plastic’ campaign has helped save an average one ton of plastic bags every month, resulting in a reduction of plastic bag consumption by 24 % since last year. Géant/Le Marché made the latest donation at a ceremony held at its hypermarket in Ibn Battuta mall on 15th July. Among those present at the ceremony were Mr. Nicholas Delaunay, Director, Business Development and Marketing, EWS-WWF, Mr. Jean-Pierre Brana, Store Manager, Géant Hypermarket, Ranjith Punja, Merchandise Manager, Géant Hypermarket and Mr. Rasesh Nagu, Human Resources Manager, Géant Hypermarket. Ranjith Punja, Merchandise Manager, Géant Hypermarket, said: “Across the world, our chain of hypermarkets and supermarkets is committed to supporting programmes that serve the public and which are beneficial to the natural environment of the country in which they operate. In the UAE, we started this ‘No Plastic’ initiative in recognition of our social and environmental conservation responsibilities. In doing so, we are also contributing to the efforts of the Ministry of Environment and Water towards a UAE that is free of plastic bags. Today, we can look back with immense pride atthe fact that a unique local retail initiative that we pioneered four years ago continues to encourage tens of thousands of shoppers to contribute their mite towards environmental conservation.” He added: “We at Géant, and Le Marché are keen to further enhance our alliance with EWS-WWF to help preserve the rich heritage and the diverse ecological, as well as marine life that the UAE is bestowed with. Together, we have proven that we can help make a difference.” Ida Tillisch, Acting Director General of EWS-WWF: “We are grateful to Géant/Le Marché, for taking the initiative to reduce the amount of plastic bags that could harm our natural environment and wildlife. Géant/Le Marché is demonstrating the important role that the private sector can play in saving the environment. We are keen to continue working with dedicated and committed partners, to ensure a healthy planet for future generations.” Shoppers at Géant Hypermarket and Le Marché also have the option of buying a re-usable jute bag that will further help reduce the amount of plastic bags that find their way into the natural environment. Plastic bags are considered a hazard to the wildlife that have made the seas and deserts their home. Animals often mistake plastic bags for food, causing devastating effects to their digestive systems, and in many cases, causing death.
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