Massy Stores distributes over 70,000 free reusable bags regionally in its #NoPlastic drive

Massy Stores is conscious of how our actions impact the environment. Across the region, we promoted the use of environmentally friendly reusable bags by introducing a nominal fee on single use plastic bags to share the responsibility, with our customers, of reducing the distribution of plastic in the environment. To date, utilization of single-use plastic bags has reduced by as much as 60%-90% across our stores.

The #NoPlastic initiative also included a more focused drive to recycle waste. In Trinidad and Tobago, we partnered with Kansmacker International to install reverse vending machines at key locations. These machines enable the proper disposal and recycling of plastic and glass bottles, as well as aluminium cans and reward customers with Massy points. Similarly, in Barbados, a recycling trailer was installed at one of our largest supermarket locations to facilitate recycling of plastics, aluminum cans and glass bottles. In St. Lucia, we also offered Massy points to customers who surrendered plastic and glass waste at the weekend recycling pop-up depots located outside our stores. Through the pilot phase of the project 5.3 metric tons of waste was recovered.

Massy Stores has also been reducing the use of Styrofoam packaging across our regional operations. While the legislated ban in Guyana and St. Vincent & The Grenadines has already ensured the complete elimination of Styrofoam in those territories, our other regional operations have voluntarily begun the transition in this direction. Sourcing appropriate biodegradable packaging is a process already in train.

Education and collaboration continue to fuel the change in the communities we touch across the Caribbean.

Sidebar Quote:
“We acknowledge that we may not get the desired end-result in one day. Full implementation across all territories and across all 49 locations will take time. We can only achieve this goal through a phased approach as there are many aspects involved. We remain committed to doing our part, sharing best practices across the region, listening to our stakeholders and collaborating with our diverse, valued customers to be A Force for Good.”
-Thomas Pantin, Chairman, Retail Line of Business, Massy Group