In a further demonstration of its eco-friendly stance, J Wray & Nephew Ltd has donated 20,000 reusable shopping bags to the Government of Jamaica, for distribution by the local municipal corporations.

This is in response to the Government’s request to private sector entities to support the ban on plastics bags and in doing help to advance Jamaica’s environmental agenda.

The Jamaica Government banned the use of plastic bags and straws effective January 1, in a move it said was designed to protect the environment.

J Wray & Nephew Ltd joins its parent company, the Campari Group, which, as of February 1, decided to refrain from purchasing plastic bags. The group said there would be a transition period during which it would use up existing and ordered stock until they are exhausted.

The company’s director of public affairs and sustainability, Tanikie McClarthy Allen said that “the move is yet another example of J Wray & Nephew Ltd’s stance of protecting the Jamaican environment, and is consistent with the Campari’s group growing attention to sustainability and the environment.

“At J Wray & Nephew Ltd we are focused on reducing our environmental impact and building sustainability in at every level of our operations,” McClarthy Allen stated. “We are fully on board with the Government of Jamaica’s decision and are confident that our efforts will result in tangible gains for, and positive improvements of environmental standards in Jamaica.”

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Daryl Vaz lauded J Wray & Nephew Ltd for the gesture, and urged other companies to follow the firm’s lead.

“J Wray and Nephew Ltd is putting 20,000 reusable branded bags into the market, and it is a great gesture,” Vaz stated. “I’m encouraging all other corporate companies to follow suit by using the opportunity to not only brand the bags but also to get them into the market, so that persons who might not necessarily be able to afford reusable bags, can get these bags — so that they may be able to stop using the single-use plastic bags. It is a great initiative and I look forward to partnering with the private sector to continue the implementation of the single use plastic bag ban.

“The campaign has been very positive and [we] are embarking on the next step as of February 15, therefore we will widen the enforcement to include the retailers. I am sending a signal for a full cooperation of the ban, and I am glad that a company like J Wray & Nephew Ltd has stepped forward to assist the process,” Vaz said.

Senator Matthew Samuda, who along with Vaz has been leading the charge for Jamaicans not to use plastic bags and other products, also lauded J Wray & Nephew for the move:

“This is a great example of responsible corporate citizenship,” Samuda said. “Wray & Nephew, through its parent company Campari, continues to lead by example. This donation of 20,000 reusable bags is a significant step in the right direction, as Jamaica moves to break its addiction to single-use plastic. These bags will distributed through the municipal corporations as previously disclosed.

“The Government will continue its engagement of the private sector to encourage more firms to join in with this effort. We expect to announce greater participation in short order. Once again, I wish to applaud Wray and Nephew,” Samuda stated.

J Wray & Nephew is the largest distributor of spirits in Jamaica and a major contributor to the island’s economy.

See related story on pages 12,13.