AMMAN — The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), in cooperation with the Aqaba Chamber of Commerce, on Wednesday launched a campaign to distribute around 100,000 paper bags free of charge to bakeries, restaurants and other food-related businesses across Aqaba. 

 

The campaign, launched under the “Aqaba is Plastic Free” initiative, aims to encourage the use of environmentally friendly alternatives and reduce reliance on plastic bags.

 

The paper bags are produced by the Paper Bag Alternatives Factory, affiliated with the Beit Al Ward Women’s Association at Aqaba Industrial City, according to an ASEZA statement.

 

ASEZA supported the factory by purchasing the bags allocated for the campaign and distributing them free of charge to participating establishments throughout the year, in cooperation with the Aqaba Chamber of Commerce.

 

Director of ASEZA’s Environment Protection and Sustainability Directorate Taghreed Maytahsaid the initiative aims to encourage bakeries and food-related businesses to adopt sustainable alternatives, while strengthening cooperation with the private sector and promoting environmentally responsible practices.

 

She added that participating businesses will make a nominal contribution towards the cost of the bags next year to help ensure the initiative’s sustainability.

 

The campaign is being held on Wednesday and Thursday, August 26 and 27, targeting bakeries, food-related businesses and shops across Aqaba as part of efforts to promote sustainability and reduce plastic use.