Super J IGA promotes reuse of packaging

A desk organizer made from IGA cereal boxes, a chandelier and a dust bin made from egg trays sold at Mega J. These were just some of the many creative pieces that were submitted by CFL team members as part of a campaign in which they were encouraged to ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ supermarket packaging materials.

Almost everything sold at the supermarket is packaged and for that reason, better management and reuse of packaging is at the heart of the campaign initiated by the CFL, which operates the island’s largest supermarket chains and Mega J. The internal staff competition spanned a period of three weeks and fittingly three winners were selected by a distinguished panel of judges on Earth day (April 22), each piece winning 20,000 Super J loyalty points. As the winning pieces were unveiled, it was clear that there was no lack of imagination or innovation in this competition.

For the team it was truly a proud moment, as the various pieces were highlighted at a prize giving ceremony addressed by CFL’s deputy managing director Martin Dorville. He was full of praise for the team and the high levels of creativity which went into their exhibits. He spoke of the steps being taken by the company to reduce its packaging and the importance of the awareness campaign as a positive step in achieving environmental sustainability.

The internal environmental competition is only the beginning of the company’s agenda where this is concerned. CFL has extended the competition to the St Lucian public. The company is now airing a series of TV and radio advertisements, reminding the public of the importance of the environment and inviting them not to throw out packaging materials such as plastic bags, egg trays, boxes, bottles, tins but rather create something functional which can be used around the home, office or elsewhere. This is being supported by print advertising, announcements at the company’s supermarkets as well as through the facebook page.

The entries will be judged by a team from Our Planet Centre, The National Trust and the Caribbean Youth Environment Forum. Two winners will be announced on World Environmental Day, June 5th and will each receive 50,000 Super J loyalty points. A special prize has also been included for primary schools.

The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle campaign is being funded by CFL through its Super J IGA reusable green bag fund. The bag was introduced to get customers
to reduce their plastic carrier bag use and ultimately the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills or as litter. One dollar on every Super J reusable green bag sold is placed in this fund which is used to assist various environmental projects. To  date monies collected have supported a range of environmental activities including National Clean ups organized by the Solid Waste Management Authority, the National Trust’s Annual Youth Environment Forum, the Forestry Department’s Annual Youth Camp and activities of the Caribbean Youth Environment  Network as well as a composting project at the Laborie Boys Primary School.

The deadline for submission of entries into this competition is May 24. More information and guidelines are posted on the Super J IGA website and is also available at all stores.