To help spread awareness about the dangers of using plastic bags and the high price that everybody has to pay in the future, the CNMI Coral Reef Initiative will be launching the “No Need Bag” program at the American Memorial Park Visitor Center theater at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, just before the First Friday Films movie starts.
“If we have picked up that much plastic from the coastal areas alone, just think how much more trash we have inland and those that have been washed up to the sea,” Igitol said.
With the No Need Bag campaign, Igitol said they hope to urge the community to minimize using plastic bags when shopping.
“If they can hold the items in their hands, they can forgo the use of plastic bags, or they can use reusable bags,” he said.
They also hope to push for legislation promoting the use of recyclable bags.
Igitol said they have already started giving training to some business owners, and they will be going to the stores to train the staffers and eventually the schools to help in the campaign.
Something must be done to address the growing problem of using plastic bags in the CNMI, he added.
“This is just our first move, and with this baby steps we hope to move up and eventually get everybody to participate in combating the problem of plastic bags to prevent further damage to our environment,” he said.
The No Need Bag campaign urges members of the community to get into the habit of always carrying a reusable bag so they can have something to use anytime they need to buy groceries from stores.
“Reusable bags hold more groceries than plastic bags, they are stronger and don’t break as often, and they reduce the number of plastic bags that are produced,” Igitol said.
Plastic bags are made from oil, a non-renewable resource that can be eaten by wildlife, making them sick or even killing them.
Working with MINA in this project is the Division of Environmental Quality and Coastal Resources Management.
For more information or to ask for training on the No Need Bag program, call 233-REEF (7333).
