The University of Guam kick-started the ban on single-use plastic bags last week by distributing 500 free, reusable bags to patrons of Pay-Less Supermarkets. The two-day event was sparked by the June 6 enactment of Senator Régine Biscoe Lee’s “Choose to Reuse: Muñgnga Ma Ayek I Plastek” Bill 268 (now Public Law 34-110).

Although the plastic bag ban does not go into effect until the year 2021, members of the UOG Community personally bagged groceries at Pay-Less Supermarkets at the Agana Shopping Center location on Thursday, June 7 and the Dededo location on Friday, June 8 to encourage shoppers to start using reusable bags today. The event was part of UOG’s Green Initiative, which seeks to lead our island community toward a sustainable future.

Each reusable bag was made from 100% recycled material and included an informational flyer informing patrons of UOG’s Green Initiative and helpful tips for sustainable shopping (see attached). The reusable bags were provided by the UOG Center for Island Sustainability, UOG Sea Grant Program, and Guam EPSCoR as part of an educational outreach initiative to encourage the reduction of single-use plastic bags and promote healthy coastal ecosystems.

 

 

 

 

On June 7-8, the two days following the enactment of Public Law 34-110 banning plastic bags, the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability (CIS) provided 500 free reusable bags to customers shopping at Pay-Less Supermarket in the Agana Shopping Center and Dededo. (From left to right) Kathy Sgro, Pay-Less Supermarkets Executive Vice President and former UOG Board of Regents member; Antoinette Sanford, former UOG Board of Regents Chairperson; and Austin Shelton, UOG CIS Executive Director.

University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability (CIS) Sustainability Coordinator Phil Cruz and UOG Sea Grant Extension Associate Tatiana Perez prepare a free reusable bag for a customer on June 8 at Pay-Less Supermarket in Dededo. CIS provided 500 free reusable bags in total to customers in the two days following the enactment of Public Law 34-110 banning plastic bags.	University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability (CIS) Executive Director Austin Shelton bags groceries in a free reusable bag for a customer on June 7 at the Agana Shopping Center Pay-Less Supermarket. CIS provided 500 free reusable bags in total to customers in the two days following the enactment of Public Law 34-110 banning plastic bags.