CAIRO: An Egyptian environmental organization has launched a campaign against the country's largest supermarket chain for the end of plastic bags along the Red Sea. The Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Agency, which works mainly on environmental issues in the Red Sea, believes the use of plastic bags can be greatly curtailed in Egypt in an effort to promote environmental sustainability and a greener country. Last year, the governor of the Red Sea governorate banned the use of plastic bags at local supermarkets, but one year on, they have yet to see extinction and remain a constant hardship for the ecosystem of the Red Sea. “The decision was vital for the preservation of biodiversity in the Red Sea, as most of these plastic bags end up in the sea or on land causing devastating impacts on our environment,” a HEPCA statement read. “In 2005, it is estimated that the cause of death of 70 percent of the deceased turtles in the Red Sea was ingestion of plastic. Plastic bags smother corals, entangle seabirds, and choke marine mammals, causing death at sea and on land. “Unfortunately, one year after the passing of this decree, plastic bags are still commonly provided by reputable establishments that are known for their high standards. As being the largest supermarket chain in Egypt, Metro Market continues to provide plastic bags to its customers.” HEPCA called on supermarket chain and customers to use re-usable tote bags as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags. They argue that this will curtail the devastating impacts that plastic is currently having on Egypt's ecosystems through green alternatives. Already, the Red Sea governorate has seen the switch from plastic bags. Currently, all plastic bags are banned from use at supermarkets. Customers purchase what HEPCA called the “eco-friendly” option at the cashier. “In essence, it is a small price to pay to make the Red Sea aesthetically beautiful and environmentally sound. Metro has a responsibility towards our environment,” the environmental organization added. “This is an irresponsible act that must be stopped now,” HEPCA demanded. Mark Jones, an independent environmental expert and researcher, who had worked on a similar enterprise with Greenpeace in the United States, told Bikya Masr that the effort is an “important step to creating an environmental conscience.” He argued that it is often difficult in many places to make these necessary changes, “but we have to keep pushing and what HEPCA is doing is vital to maintaining Egypt's environmental integrity. It would be a devastating loss to lose the Red Sea as a result of pollution that could have been stopped by individuals.” However, he pointed to a number of problems he ran up against in the US when attempting to get customers to change. “The main difficulty was trying to have people understand that their action would help restore biodiversity and save the environment. People want an immediate solution and this sort of thing will take at least a year or two to be seen on the ground or in the sea so it's very hard to convince customers stuck in their ways,” Jones added. BM
