WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH PLASTIC BAGS?
“Data released by the US Environmental Protection Agency shows that somewhere between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year.�
National Geographic News, Sept. 2
“The Recycling Association of Guam estimates that Guam consumers use over 40 million plastic bags annually.�
Recycling Association of Guam
“Less than 1% of plastic bags are recycled each year. It costs more to recycle a bag than to produce a new one.�
Christian Science Monitor Newspaper
“The US Environmental Protection Agency has stated that it can take over 1,000 years for a plastic bag to decompose thus polluting air and water, depleting natural resources and damaging natural habitats.�
US Environmental Protection Agency
SO WHERE DO THESE PLASTIC BAGS GO?
“Pay-Less Supermarkets distributes over 11,361,000 plastic bags each year. Which equates to 28% of the island’s plastic bags.”
WHAT IS PAY-LESS DOING ABOUT IT?
No plastic bag distribution on Wednesdays
Encouraging the use of reusable bags by offering incentives:
$.05 REBATE MOB WEDNESDAY SPECIALS PURCHASE: $.75 PER REUSABLE BAG
Pay-Less Community Foundation Mini-Grant Program
We’ve reached our goal!
Sold over 110,000 reusable bags!
Recycling Program
KEY CHALLENGES
KEY SUCCESS
MOB TRAINING
“GREENEST STORE” COMPETITION
Island-wide Beautification Task Force Roadway Adoption Program Sponsorship
“PRESERVING OUR ISLAND ONE PLASTIC BAG AT A TIME”