By Quoc Hung in HCMC
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| Two customers buy reusable bags from a Big C supermarket - Photo: Quoc Hung |
Just imagine millions of plastic bags could have been stacked up in huge amounts in the environment if the Big C supermarket chain had not taken the action to introduce reusable bags to shoppers. The program to protect the environment, started by the store chain since last March by launching the reusable bags, has therefore had huge significance at a time environment pollution is becoming a big headache for the country. This activity, however, is just one of the many activities by the giant retailer to lend its hand to the great cause of the country, the other activities including the collection of used batteries and the selection of only environmentally friendly suppliers.
All Big C Vietnam supermarkets have limited their plastic bag supplies since March last year. If customers want a bag for their groceries, they can buy a reusable one for VND6,200 – a discounted price from the usual VND6,500.
The major retailer is among a few chains who have taken action to limit plastic bag usage. Most Vietnamese stores cannot understand why retailers would take plastic bags away from customers – regardless of the damage the product has on the environment.
Environmental protection experts say plastic bags are popular among customers as they are convenient. Sellers also like them because they can be an effective advertising tool. However, plastic bags are extremely dangerous to the environment. If their use is not restricted soon, Vietnam will pay dearly for the luxury.
As a result, Big C decided to launch reusable bags nationwide at the end of 2008. After five months of research and intensive work with its suppliers, Big C launched its first reusable bag, called LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) on March 23 last year to coincide with the Earth Hour on March 28. LOHAS bags show Big C’s commitment to environment protection and sustainable development.
The bag conveys the message that Big C’s aims to protect Vietnam’s environment for future generations. Its beautiful design and ability to transport groceries conveniently has won customers’ support, according to the chain.
Duong Thi Quynh Trang, head of Big C’s public relations department, says to the Daily that shoppers are becoming familiar with the ‘green’ bags after nine months of selling them. She says that 10 Big C supermarkets nationwide have sold some 400,000 LOHAS bags with the message ‘reducing environment pollution’ printed on them. The amount is really big and may have otherwise replaced millions of plastic bags.
“We started selling these bags at our supermarkets in March 2009 for VND6,500 each and have now reduced the price to VND6,200. Initially, not many people bought the bags, but there have been more and more people buying them in recent months,” Trang says. She notes that the chain reduces the amount of plastic bags they give to customers each day to encourage them to purchase the reusable bags.
A message board that encourages customers to ‘Reduce the use of plastic bags to protect the environment’ is displayed at Big C supermarkets too to draw shoppers’ attention.
The LOHAS bag is just the first step in Big C’s plan to protect the environment. The chain will also provide free bus fares to all shoppers to encourage the use of public transport, thereby reducing exhaust fumes.
Big C collects used batteries as well. Employees and shoppers can place used batteries in collection boxes at any Big C supermarket. The retailer will then give the batteries to Viet Uc Environment Joint Stock Co. to be processed.
In addition, Big C says it will only buy from suppliers who do not violate Vietnam’s environment laws.
Nguyen Le Nguyen Vu, manager of Big C Vietnam’s food department, says that the retailer takes periodical surveys to monitor suppliers and ensure they are following environmental regulations.
“One of our criteria in choosing suppliers for domestic supermarkets as well as for export is that the supplier must not violate the environment law,” he said at a seminar on boosting Vietnam’s potential export value last year.
“Environmental protection is always our top criterion to choose product suppliers for both our domestic supermarkets and exports,” he added.
Le Thi Thanh Tam, Big C’s textile merchandiser agrees, saying that the retailer will take immediate action if suppliers breach environment regulations. “If we find any producers violating environment laws, we will stop buying their products immediately,” she says. Tam adds that Big C also encourages its suppliers to be socially responsible throughout their production.
Trang says Big C has removed all Vedan Company products from its shelves nationwide when the monosodium glutamate producer was discovered dumping untreated wastewater into the Thi Vai River.
Big C Vietnam operates ten supermarkets nationwide, distributing more than 50,000 products supplied by some 1,500 manufacturers from around the country. The chain also ships goods to 11 foreign markets via Casino Group, its France-based parent company.
The Saigon Times Daily