Spinneys announces its commitment to end all single-use plastic bags in stores

Local supermarket Spinneys has committed to stopping single-use plastic bags in its stores across the UAE.

In line with the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency’s new policy to ban single-use plastics at all checkouts from June 1, Spinneys stores in Abu Dhabi will be removing their plastic bags at the checkout, and single-use paper bags will follow in July.

In Dubai, Spinneys has committed to following the same single-use plastic ban as Abu Dhabi and will phase out all single-use bags at checkouts. These include bags made of plastic, paper, biodegradable plastic, and plant-based biodegradable materials. The ban will come into effect in stores in Dubai from July 1, 2022. Spinneys is committed to leading environmental and social initiatives and believes everyone should work together to reduce single-use grocery bags. Spinney feels that single-use bags are unnecessary since there are so many reusable alternatives.

To help customers embrace the change, Spinneys is also rewarding shoppers for reusing, saving customers 25 fils off their entire grocery bill every time they bring a bag to the store while shopping. This is the opposite of 25 fils for using a disposable plastic bag. The retailer hopes that this will give its customers an incentive to consciously switch to exclusively using reusable bags. As part of Spinneys’ plan of action, today also marks the launch of a new range of reusable bags. Spinneys has partnered with Peahead Eco, an award-winning sustainable artist based in Dubai, to create a premium tote bag made from 100% sustainable materials and Spinneys

recycled plastic bags. Designed as a multipurpose shopping bag, this limited edition shopper has been ethically handcrafted by local artisans in Ajman using recycled, disposable Spinney’ bags and even sustainably sourced and harvested cork leather. The bags are sold exclusively at Spinneys and are available in select stores from today, June 1st.

Sophie Corcut, Sustainability Manager at Spinneys, comments: “Spinneys is committed to supporting the growth of the circular economy in the UAE, which is why we support the UAE’s single-use policy and are taking the extra step to end single-use plastic. followed by paper bags in all our branches. Sustainability is at the heart of Spinneys’ business strategy and we are committed to supporting the national goal of completely banning all single-use bags in the UAE by 2024.We will continue to introduce rewards and initiatives to help our customers adopt a greener lifestyle than our new premium shopper in partnership with Peahead Eco. It’s great to see single-use plastic bags being repurposed into something practical and elegant.”

Christine Iris Wilson, owner of Peahead Eco, comments: “Peahead Eco is excited to partner with Spinneys as we work together to promote a more sustainable future. The bag launch is not only about encouraging the local community to use reusable bags when shopping in-store, but also about consciously thinking about the materials they buy. We care about the amount of waste that is produced and we love this planet. While Zerowaste remains a daily challenge, every small action each of us
takes can make a difference. By recycling materials, our goal is to give everything a second chance, avoid landfill, and be loved again.”

These latest initiatives are part of Spinneys’ ‘Come Close the Loop’ campaign, a commitment by the retailer to work towards a circular waste management system and help close the loop in the plastics economy.