Eco-friendly campaign against plastic launched in Qatar

Under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment, Global Green Corporation launched the 'Go Green Qatar — Say No to Plastic' campaign at The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa on Saturday evening, a day after Qatar celebrated its National Environment Day.

Emphasising the need to switch to using eco-friendly carry bags instead of plastic bags, the initiative will provide around 150,000 eco-friendly compostable and reusable carry bags to the residents of Qatar.

Ashwat Hegde, the founder and CEO of Green Corporation — an India-based manufacturer and exporter of eco-friendly packaging solutions — has high hopes for this large-scale campaign.

"Qatar is the only country in the GCC that has set going green as a priority, as it places environmental care as one of the four agendas of Qatar National Vision 2030. I studied about its plans and I got a great response from the government and also the private sector here," said Hegde.

Distributing free biodegradable grocery bags made of cornstarch — it decomposes after around four months and leaves no chemical traces behind — is only the first step of an uphill climb.

"Our main intention is to introduce alternatives to plastic and spread awareness so as to turn Qatar greener. I want people to change their mindset about the use of bags," he says.

The campaign will visit schools, colleges, malls, multinational companies, and educate people about the need to switch to alternatives to plastic and also distribute these bags.

Currently, the cost of the Go Green Qatar campaign, which involves the distribution of around 150,000 free, bioplastic carry bags to Qatar's residents, is pegged at QR300,000.

In case you're wondering, the bag looks and feels like plastic and is quite durable.

Qatar Living is also supporting the Go Green Qatar campiagn as the community partner. Stay tuned to QatarLiving.com to know more about the campaign's activities.