by Ronna Sweeney, KUAM News Monday, February 25, 2008 Subscribe to Ronna's newsfeed   E-mail this article Printable version KUAM Toolbar Web Widgets Get RSS headlines

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According to ReuseableBags.com an estimated 8 billion pounds of plastic bags, wraps and sacks enter the waste stream every year in the United States alone. Hoping to lessen their impact on our island, Payless Supermarkets has recently launched their "Going Green" campaign. The Recycling Association of Guam estimates as many as 40 million plastic bags are being used on Guam annually.

Executive vice-president of Payless Supermarkets Kathy Sgro said, "We are one of the largest providers of plastic on island and therefore we need to take a proactive role in reducing plastic and therefore we've given the incentive of a five cent rebate." The rebate program is just one of several initiatives brought forth by the Payless Community Foundation, which seeks betterment of education, health, social services and the environment.

Did you know that it takes a thousand years for a plastic bag to degrade? So, if you've been inside any one of the six Payless Supermarkets lately you probably have noticed instead of pushing plastic bags, for $0.99 you can purchase a reusable canvas bag.

Payless general manager Mike Benito said, "We want this to not just be a program for today and tomorrow but for years to come. Even if the canvas bags aren't around you can bring in your own bags. You can bring in your own canvas bags from anywhere, you can bring in a box; you can bring in plastic bags. Whatever you want and we'll still give you the 5 cent rebate for every bag."

So if you're not convinced to make the switch from plastic to canvas just yet, here are a few startling facts. Each year billions of plastic bags end up as litter. Eventually they break down into tiny toxic particles polluting our soil and water resources. Production alone requires vast amounts of oil, plus, countless animals, such as marine life, die each year from ingesting plastic bags. "We live on a small island, and if we want to continue to enjoy the benefits of an island with a beautiful reef, a beautiful flora and fauna, we all have a responsibility to take some initiative in reducing the trash on our island," said Benito.

But offering up rebates and canvas bags for consumers isn't the only thing Payless is doing to go green. Sgro says the corporation recycles about 500 tons of cardboard annually, telling KUAM News, "We have a new program with direct deposit for our payroll checks. So we've got paperless payroll checks. That's a new program we're implementing next month."

In order to make Going Green a reality for this business, both executives say sponsors, research and a little initiative have really helped in making campaigns like this successful. "Bags may seem like such a small thing," said Sgro. "A five cent rebate might seem like such a small thing, but they all add up."

Benito is challenging other businesses to begin similar programs and campaigns aimed at enhancing our island's environment.