The eco-friendly initiative is designed to reduce plastic waste…

Charging for plastic bags has long been standard practice for many supermarkets around the world, but UAE checkout counters have been slow to take up this eco-friendly initiative.

Waitrose has announced that five stores in the capital will undergo a 12-week trial in which customers will be required to pay Dhs0.25 per single-use plastic bags, or are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags.

Starting June 16, the following Waitrose outlets will take part in the trial which will last until September 8: Waitrose Etihad Towers, Waitrose Sun and Sky Reem Island, Waitrose Al Zeina, Waitrose Saadiyat Beach Community and Waitrose Eastern Mangroves.

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The initiative is a partnership with Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF and is designed to raise awareness around plastic waste.

“The challenge around plastic is underway and we want to be the supermarket leading that charge for the retail industry, fostering positive change and helping to create a more sustainable future for generations to come.”, said Matthew Frost, CEO of Fine Fare Food Market, Waitrose’s managing company in the UAE.

If the trial goes well, the company will look to roll the initiative out across the rest of its nine stores in the UAE, and possibly to others that it manages including Spinneys supermarkets.

Would you be ok with paying for plastic bags at the checkout counter?

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