To commemorate Earth Day 2019, AML Foods Limited will be giving away more than 20,000 reusable shopping bags to customers at its 4th annual Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) event.

This Thursday, April 25th the company plans on distributing free canvas shopping bags at Solomon’s Super Center at Old Trail Rd, Solomon’s Yamacraw, Solomon’s Fresh Market Harbour Bay, Solomon’s Fresh Market Old Fort Bay and Cost Right in New Providence and Solomon’s Lucaya, Solomon’s Freeport and Cost Right in Grand Bahama.

Launched in April 2016, the annual initiative is focused on reducing the amount of plastic bags in circulation.

Shoppers will be given bags while supplies last and encouraged to reuse bags on future shopping trips.

With the government of The Bahamas announcing plans to officially ban plastic bags in the country by 2020, the company hopes that BYOB continues to be an avenue for persons living in The Bahamas to take steps towards replacing plastic bags with more eco-friendly options.

“There is a greater awareness surrounding the impact of plastic bags on our natural environment.

Through our ‘Bring Your Own Bag’ events customers have access to alternative solutions and can begin to make better choices in order to have a positive impact locally,” said Gavin Watchorn, President & CEO of AML Foods Limited.

“We support the government’s bold stand to ban single use plastic throughout the country. Currently, our retail locations use biodegradable plastic bags.

As a company, we are committed to pushing this green initiative forward and are working towards the goal of eliminating plastic bags completely in our stores.”

AML jumpstarted this year’s BYOB drive by donating 18,000 bags to the event with corporate partners contributing another 6,000 canvas shopping bags towards the upcoming event.

To date, more than 60,000 bags have been distributed between New Providence and Grand Bahama Island since the program started four years ago.

“Bag distribution will begin when AML retail outlets open on Thursday April 25th.

We’re encouraging customers to consider the overall environment when shopping and to begin the process of incorporating reusable bags into their routine.

We will be giving away bags to customers who shop on Thursday while supplies last. Eco-friendly canvas bags can also be purchased at our retail locations,” said Renea Bastian, VP of Marketing and Communications.

“It’s estimated that if each customer uses two reusable bags per week, this can result in approximately two million plastic bags being removed from local circulation each year.

Choosing a more eco-friendly alternative at the checkout counter will have a significant impact on our island’s ecosystem now and in the future.”

Bastian thanked event sponsors Insurance Management, NUA Insurance Agents & Brokers, Bahamas First, First Care Medical Plan, J.S. Johnson, Grand Bahama Port Authority, RBC Royal Bank, CIBC First Caribbean, Generali Worldwide, Caribbean Bottling Company and the Ministry of the Environment and Housing, for participating in this year’s BYOB drive. 

Shopper using recycled bags at BYOB initiative on Grand Bahama

Volunteers distributing eco-friendly shopping bags at previous AML BYOB event

About AML Foods Limited: AML Foods Limited was incorporated in 1989 in The Bahamas and is listed on the Bahamas International Securities Exchange. The Company and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the operations of retail and club stores offering dry and perishable food items and other consumer products, and the operation of a food franchise business. AML Foods Limited Food Distribution includes its retail division - Solomon’s Super Center Nassau, Solomon’s Fresh Market, Solomon’s Freeport and Solomon’s Lucaya – and its club division - Cost Right Nassau and Cost Right Freeport; the Company’s Franchise Division consists of eleven Domino’s Pizza locations in Nassau and Freeport and one Carl’s Jr. Restaurant in Nassau . The registered office of the Company is at One Millars Court, off Shirley Street, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas and the corporate office is at Town Centre Mall, Upper Level, Blue Hill Road, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, Tel: 242.677.7200.