Campaign

In the light of the research the campaign will:

• Urge Barbadians to use less plastic bags.
  
• Help with the development and promotion of a reusable alternative.

The campaign theme will be

“Reduce the Use”

and it will be championed by the Solid Waste Management Programme's mascot –

“Grace Waste”

“YOU, ME, ALL AH' WE!

If we are to succeed we must all play our part. So when you next go shopping –

• Refuse unnecessary plastic bags – Ask yourself – “Do I really need that bag?” If the answer is “NO” then tell the shop attendant, “I don't need that bag!”
  
• Tell the packer to use only smaller bags inside bigger ones if it is really necessary.
  
• Carry your own bags whenever practical to do so or try some other alternative to the plastic bag, like a box for example.

Definitions

• Qualitative Research: Research which is concerned with the nature of an issue and does not yield numerical findings.
  
• Quantitative Research: Research which is measured by quantity and yields numerical findings.
  
• Plastic Bag Equivalent: The mass of plastic contained in an 18” x 22” x 0.03mm bag.

Background

Following input from the general public and other interested parties, the Sewage & Solid Waste Project Unit (SSWPU) of the Ministry of Health embarked on a public waste reduction drive. This was part of the Government of Barbados' Integrated Solid Waste Management Programme. One of the elements of this drive was identified to be the reduction in the number of plastic bags entering the waste stream.

Having completed a trial campaign, SSWPU decided to further develop the reduction drive with the assistance of a professional communications company. Bowie Cross Advertising was selected to assist Government with this task.

The Objectives of the Promotion were as follows:

1. To reduce the amount of plastic bags in the solid waste stream.

2. To reduce the amount of plastic bags being issued to the public by retail outlets.

3. To assist businesses to encourage customers to participate in the promotion.

The following outlines the campaign strategy:

Phase 1: Research to determine:

• The quantity and type of plastic bags retained in Barbados.
• To project the impact of the continuation of current practice.
• To assess current attitudes among sectors of the population to bag usage.
• To gain insights into the receptivity of various segments of the community to behavioural change with respect to bag reduction.
• To test opinion towards various bag alternatives which may be considered for implementation.

Phase 2: From the research a clearer idea of the communications strategy was developed and the most effective communications channels selected to reach the targeted section of our society.

This brochure will provide the Barbados public with insights into the Plastic Bag problem by highlighting the key research findings. It will also describe the communications strategy developed. This will allow the public to better appreciate the benefits of the campaign and therefore harness that vital public support for the successful outcome of the project which is TO REDUCE THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS.

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