Dubai’s favorite pre-owned fashion boutique RETOLD has signed up to local marine conservation organization Azraq’s campaign #mybagaintplastic offering not only an alternative to plastic bags, but providing a 5% discount to customers bringing in their reusable bags. *

Founder of the second hand fashion store, Sian Rowlands stated that her passion for business and sustainability, and her focus on making the world a better place, meant that the decision to join the #mybagaintplastic campaign made complete sense and challenged her peers in the retail industry to join her.

“Whilst RETOLD already offers paper bags, the pledge to Azraq’s latest campaign rewards customers for refusing ‘single use’ bags and instead reusing their own alternative, not just in their store, but everywhere they go,” Ms Rowlands said. “Reusable is always better than recyclable.”

With as many as 13 billion plastic bags being used in the United Arab Emirates each year, or 350 plastic bags every second, its imperative that we take whatever action we can to reduce the impacts of these plastic bags on the natural environment..

Natalie Banks, Founder of Azraq stated that the issue with plastic bags was not just their impacts on the environment, but also the fact that recycling them is problematic.

“Less than 1% of all bags sent to recycling plants worldwide end up being considered suitable for recycling,” Ms Banks said.

“Most bags end up in landfill and waterways for hundreds of years, leaching toxins into water supplies and blocking local drainage systems.”

In 2014, The Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi reported that discarded plastic bags were believed to be the cause of 50% of camel deaths in the United Arab Emirates each year.

The #mybagaintplastic campaign is estimated to run for 12-18 months in stages, the first stage just recently closed was a design competition for Azraq’s tote bags that will highlight the issue of plastic bags in the natural environment.

The second stage, which kicked off in June 2020 will see Azraq liaising with as many retail outlets as possible to get them to reconsider the use of plastic bags if they are using them, and / or to offer benefits to those bringing their reusable bags to their store. This campaign is not just aimed at sustainability-centric businesses like RETOLD, it aims to hold all retail accountable and encourage all brands to make the necessary changes.

“It’s great to start with a brand like RETOLD, who we’ve been working with for some time already – watch this space for more brands pledging,” Ms Banks said.

“I am really excited to see where we end up after this campaign has run its course. We have been liaising with some large retail outlets and have some big announcements still up our sleeve.”

To find out more about the campaign head to  https://azraqme.org/totesbetterthanplastic

* The discount is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer