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CONSERVATION-SAVVY customers have rallied to a green call at one of the kingdom’s leading supermarket groups, writes Stan Szecowka.
Jawad Supermarkets (JSM) recently launched two community environmental initiatives and the management and members of staff have been ‘impressed and encouraged’ by the support shown by shoppers.
New supplies of eco-friendly shopping bags will shortly be arriving after thousands were snapped up within days of release and special bins recently placed in the stores to collect used batteries are starting to bulge with deposits.
Kareem Jawad, assistant group general manager of Jawad Business Group (JBG), said: “As a well-known business house we feel we have a corporate responsibility to set an example and to use every opportunity to remind people that the environment is a combined responsibility.
“This is not a business strategy for us but a basic philosophy of the company. We are convinced that every effort we make will work to making a difference.”
Driving home the message that environmental responsibility should be a part of everyday business and consumer life, the supermarket chain marked Earth Day in April by offering customers, after only BD10 spent, a stylish eco-friendly shopping bag to raise awareness and help keep Bahrain clean and plastic-free.
Throughout its recent promotion, JSM brought the focus on a healthier lifestyle, natural products and protection of the environment through functional products and packaging that help reduce the burden on the ecosystem.
To hammer home the message further shoppers have also been advised to make further use of plastic carriers, rather than throwing them away immediately after unpacking the contents, by suggesting they could also be used as bin liners, disposable gloves or garden mats.
The battery bins have been another popular move. Riyas Neduvanchery, purchasing manager of Jawad’s food retail division, said a simple in-store notice above the new battery sales display unit promoting the initiative had worked wonders.
“We’ve had an excellent response from customers who seem to really appreciate what we are doing,” he added.
Millions of batteries of all types and sizes are disposed of each year and as they contain various hazardous materials that can pose serious environmental risks if not discarded properly.
JBG has introduced a number of C-Thru Nexus Battery Bins at many of the group’s outlets all over the kingdom. “For the growing number of environmentally-conscious people in Bahrain, it is a relief to be able to simply drop off their batteries in the specially-marked recycling bins and walk away knowing they will be recycled in an environmentally-responsible way,” explained Mr Jawad.
The battery recycling bins can be found at Jawad supermarkets and stores at The Jawad Dome, Barbar, The Centre, Nwaidrat, Country Mall on Budaiya Highway, Hoora, Karranah Petrol Station, Jawad Express at Seef, plus the two 24-Hours Markets at Sakhir and Tala, Amwaj Islands.
