THE MANAGEMENT behind SM Supermalls is looking to reduce the retail chain’s use of plastic bags and comply with local ordinances by stepping up efforts to sell reusable shopping carriers and offering incentives, an official said last week.
SM Shopping Centers Management Corp. plans to sell one million so-called eco bags by yearend or the first quarter of 2012, Raffy M. Maglalang, SM Center Pasig mall manager and a member of SM’s environment committee said at the project launch.
While plastic bag users will not be charged an additional amount, SM Advantage loyalty card holders who use the eco bag will be given loyalty points, which in turn can be converted to discounts or give-aways, among others.
“We expect to sell more than last year because of the no-plastic bag ordinances in Pasig and Muntinlupa cities. More people will buy our eco bags. We expect our malls in those areas to follow the law and help reduce plastic bags,” Mr. Maglalang said.
In January, Muntinlupa City passed City Ordinance 10-109 to ban the use of plastic bags and polystyrene containers. In Pasig City, City Ordinance 09-2010 also banned the use of plastic and Styrofoam starting last month.
The retail giant also partnered with mall tenants Jollibee Foods Corp. and Goldilocks Bakeshop, Inc., to reduce plastic usage in their outlets. -- Franz Jonathan G. de la Fuente
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