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Gov’t not attacking citizens with reusable bag initiative – Hon. Christian

A shopper displays a reusable bag after purchasing goods at a supermarket. At-Large Territorial Representative, Hon. Archibald C. Christian state, 'I want to encourage people to understand that the Government is not attacking people in this go green initiative'. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – At-Large Territorial Representative, Hon. Archibald C. Christian has sought to diffuse tensions arising from the recently implemented government sanctioned ‘go green initiative’ across the Virgin Islands (VI).

The initiative promoted by WorldHouse Caribbean and supported by supermarkets and business places across the Territory, saw the implementation of a 15 cent surcharge for consumers who wished to have their products taken from businesses in a plastic bag as well as the promotion of reusable bags.

“I want to encourage people to understand that the Government is not attacking people in this go green initiative,” Hon. Christian stated during the House of Assembly (HOA) sitting on April 8, 2013.

He stated that it was a common practice among countries worldwide to eliminate the use of plastic bags.

“In some countries they were charging as high as 50cents for you if you wanted that bag,” he added. These funds, he indicated, were not going to the establishments, but were going to educational programmes and similar initiatives.

“I have listened a lot and read a lot about the public discussions that took place regarding the 15 cents that some of the supermarkets and business establishments were charging for the bags,”

He expressed that he didn’t think supermarkets were charging 15 cents to make any money but were simply trying to bring some awareness as to the importance of moving away from what used to be a popular shopping item to encouraging residents to consider the planet in order to protect it.

Hon. Christian said, “Sometimes when things come at you for the first time, they can seem unpopular.”

The Territorial Representative said if he had to make a recommendation to those establishments, he would suggest they, ‘get rid of the 15 cents’ while expressing the hope that persons would get the message someday.

Hon. Christian added that some supermarkets have already removed the 15cents surcharge.

He saw a ray of hope “through all the confusion” and noted that he had seen brown paper bags coming back to supermarkets. He congratulated establishments that were offering recycled paper bags.

The Territorial Representative also noted that the VI’s fishing industry, marine industry and tourism industry were taking a serious pounding from the use of plastics. “If you drive from East End to West End, you’ll see plastic bags in trees blowing in the wind,” he said, “if you go along the shoreline, you’ll see them floating and washed up along the shoreline.”

14 Responses to “Gov’t not attacking citizens with reusable bag initiative – Hon. Christian”

  • wet well (10/04/2013, 08:24) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    Archibald go home!
  • drake (10/04/2013, 09:23) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    IF he don't go home willingly we will help him come next election!!
  • dog (10/04/2013, 09:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    the 15 cents should go towards paying for recyclable bags and making them available.
    • small head (10/04/2013, 13:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Very good points. The middle class and poor screwed as usual.
  • VIlander (10/04/2013, 09:54) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is also a common practice to have descent roads leniency on marijuana laws proper education for children functioning hospitals...........strupes........why are the trash bags that we buy still made of plastic? This makes no sense
  • ooooo (10/04/2013, 10:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is just more damage control
    • polo (10/04/2013, 13:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      things bad and we still be fighting up if you have a family to feed. so it will be a stretch wid tis 15 cents.
  • dumb idea (10/04/2013, 11:10) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    That was the dumbest idea to get government's sanction. Ban food boxes and bottled water. empty bottles are all over the place too, empty food boxes are all over too
  • pops (10/04/2013, 13:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    me ann pay no dam 15 cents
  • Liat 521 (10/04/2013, 14:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WE DONT NEED THIS 15 cents BS.
  • sayso (10/04/2013, 16:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It going move up to 25cents just now wait and see
  • HMMM (10/04/2013, 16:13) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    This refusal to give customers grocery bags is a bunch of crap. We all need to boycott these supermarkets.
  • Opinion (11/04/2013, 07:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Archie, I am trully disappointed in you for suggesting 'get rid of the 15 cents'. You ought to know that enforcement is the best way to get people to adapt. It is a good cause, you should be encouraging people to go green and save what little they can of the environment. Come on Archie, you know better than that!!!
  • lettuce tree (22/04/2013, 13:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    not even 25 cents maybe a 1DOLLAR


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