Pick n Pay hand over proceeds from sales of Plastic bags to Recycle Namibia Forum

Windhoek Aug 20-Pick n Pay Namibia today handed over profit from sales of grocery plastic bags, to the Recycle Namibia Forum (RNF).

Pick n pay marketing manager statement reads as follow:

A very warm welcome to you all at this very special occasion. Indeed a very proud moment for Pick n Pay Namibia, and the Ohlthaver & List Group at large. On the 1st of June 2019, Pick n Pay launched the ‘Plastic or Planet’ Campaign that was aimed at encouraging the responsible use of plastic bags. Out of this initiative, the decision to charge for plastic bags was born and with it, the charge of 50 cents per grocery bag at all Pick n Pay stores. It is unfortunate how plastic has grown to become such a negative topic to the environment, and while it is not the plastic as such that is the problem, but rather the behaviour of human beings with the use and treatment of plastic that has led to the unfortunate impact it has on the planet today, it is important for PnP Namibia, as a caring Namibian entity, to play our part in sustaining our environment. While we aim to promote responsible and safe use of plastic, we also made use of the PLASTIC or PLANET campaign to encourage customers to rather opt for the re-usable grocery shopping bag that is available for purchase at all PnP stores. Meanwhile, the thicker, stronger plastic bag (thicker than the plastic bag customers used to) which can be used more than once, was introduced as contribution to reducing the singleuse plastic bags and the waste thereof. Ladies & gentlemen, I am excited to share that today we will hand over the profits made from the sale of the grocery plastic bags for the months of June and July 2019, to the Recycle Namibia Forum. Of the 50cents charged for the bags, 43 cents covers the production cost, with 7cents as a profit. We support the RNF with the 7 cents incurred for the said months, which amounts to a total of N$195 000 as a continuation of our longstanding relationship with the RNF. The funds is in support of its activities to promote environmental sustainability, in particular recycling, reusing and reducing programs and activities. RNF Coordinator, Anita Witt will later give us a more detailed outline as to what exactly the money will be used for. I trust that the exciting PLASTIC or PLANET campaign will also inspire us all to look closely at how we treat plastic, and that it will encourage us to be more responsible and environmentally caring. Let’s be the change we want to see in the society at large. Allow me to appreciate the RNF for the amazing work they do for environmental sustainability in the country. Pick n Pay Namibia, and the O&L Group at large, is proud to be a member and affiliated to such a profound and very valuable organization. Keep up the good work! I trust that this contribution to bringing the RNF vision to life, will make a valuable and significant contribution on your journey. We look forward to continuing this relationship with the RNF, and that this partnership will indeed make the desired difference in Namibia’s unique and rich environment.