Supermarket turns to US for recycling programme

| 21/09/2011

(CNS): Although recycling programmes on islands remain close to non-existent a local supermarket is shipping its waste cardboard overseas in an effort to limit the amount of rubbish it sends to George Town’s ever-growing landfill. Every week, Foster’s Food Fair IGA is sending a container of about 40 cardboard bales weighing anywhere from 600-1100 pounds to a company in Miami called Miami Waste Paper. The US firm collects large volumes of recyclable paper and cardboard materials, and sells it as raw material mostly to tissue mills, boxboard mills, and overseas paper manufacturers.

“This initiative is another way for Foster’s to continue to help the environment and build on the “green” mission that we are trying to achieve,” said Woody Foster, the Managing Director of Foster’s Food Fair IGA. “As much cardboard as we go through daily we found it necessary to find a way to alleviate some of the problems the island is currently facing with the landfill and amount of garbage that is placed there daily.”

He added that the supermarket’s slogan of “We Care” is more than just words. “It is the way we approach every customer and any project that benefits the community,” Foster said, adding that since the Cayman BECOME campaign the supermarket had been lookingfor other avenues to help the environment.
 

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  1. Anonymous says:

    All I have to say  for recycling to work it must become a law and has to start in the homes, and business' of the Cayman Islands. and the Law must be enforces, and that won't happen,

    But I commended Foster's Food Fair for taking the first step in hopefully making this happen.. You have my support and my business when I come to Grand Cayman.

     

  2. Anonymous says:

     

    So good to read about something positive happening in Grand Cayman. More people realize that the only planet we have that gives us life is in deep trouble and on the verge of ecological catastrophe. People's attitude slowly, but steadily changing. Together, we can turn things around. Overconsumption and over packaging are evils.

     

  3. Anonymous says:

    Well done Woody/Foster's.  Great to have something positive to cheer about this week. Hope  other supermarkets/businesses that are contributing large amounts to the landfill will get on board if they're not already. Well done!

  4. Anonymous says:

    That's why the Foster's have always been a class act – they are a bunch of smart people with heart, just like Mr David was.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Congrats Fosters! Way to set the pace. How can other businesses work with you to empty get cardboard boxes shipped off?

  6. Anonymous says:

    Kudos to Foster's and other who are playing their part in the recycling world.

    Can someone confirm if Foster's is paying for these items to be shipped off Island?  My understanding is that the shipping companies are sending empty containers back to the USA?  If so, why don't the government intervene, and assist by offering incentives to the shipping companies to offset the cost for these deeds.  I am aware that its a business at the end of the day, and more than likely Foster's is earning revenue from the items.  However, for betterment of the environment, and opportunity for entreprenurs, the shipping companies should be giving consideration to theseoptions!

    Quote of the day; "Positive thinking, brings positive results"