RIYADH, 4 January 2003 — Women’s departments of science and medical studies at King Saud University here have launched a campaign to highlight the threat posed to the environment by the widespread use of plastic bags.
“The science and medical studies departments in the university have set up a committee for the protection of the environment with special stress on the problems created by used plastic bags,” said Muneera Al-Othman of the Faculty of Sciences at the university.
“The committee directs continuous calls particularly to the university students to stop using plastic bags for shopping purposes and replace them with cloth bags. Plastic bags pollute both the land and sea and the risks involved in the accumulation of plastic bags in residential districts are also very high,” Muneera added.
The committee also strives to get the support of shopkeepers for the success of the campaign apart from enlightening the shoppers about the threats posed by the increased use of plastic bags which are not biodegradable.
A company specialized in date manufacturing has expressed its readiness to finance production of canvas bags, she added.
