In June 2003, we launched a campaign called “Bag for Life” which focused on reducing plastic bag usage in Koror.  Thousands of plastic bags are given out by stores everyday in Koror and end up in the coastal waters where they can choke turtles and marine mammals; or they remain in dumpsites for hundreds of years before decomposing.  Disposal of non-biodegradable waste is becoming an increasing problem in Pacific Island countries that import huge quantities of these materials but do not have adequate facilities or even enough land for proper disposal.  

The “Bag for Life” is a light durable canvas bag that has  been distributed to all major food stores so that customers choose it as an environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic bags.  We have supplied over 1000 bags to local stores and the response from customers has been very encouraging. The message has even spread across the seas to other islands, who have expressed interests in running similar campaigns!