By Masayu Yulien Vinanda

Jakarta (05/08)-Considering the huge impact of plastic bags in speeding up greenhouse gas emissions, CENTRO Department Store, started from the beginning of August has changed their plastic bags into biodegradable bags. The company also collaborates with WWF-Indonesia for ‘green corner’ programme.

Speaking in the press conference held in Plaza Semanggi, South Jakarta, Wednesday (05/08), CENTRO General Manager Corporate PR, Event, and, Fashion Trend, Andrei Aksana, explained the reason behind his company’s decision to use biodegradable bags.

According to Andre, biodegradable bags chosen by CENTRO decompose in only 2 years, meanwhile the ordinary bags need 100 years or thousands years to decompose. “There are two types of biodegradable. oxobiodegradable and hydro-biodegradable. The oxo-biodegradable is the safest for environment since it is easier to be decomposed by micro-organism,”Andre said.

WWF hailed CENTRO’s initiative for socializing this environmentally-friendly bags. Director of WWF-Indonesia Climate and Energy Program, Fitrian Ardiansyah, expected this breakthrough to become a good example for other industries. In the long term, he said, the transformation from plastic bags into biodegradable bags will be a significant investment for our environment.

Furthermore, Fitrian added, the biodegradable bags program is expected to change urban people behaviour, particularly in Jakarta. “I do expect what CENTRO has been doing will be followed by all of its partners. …I think the other malls, whether CENTRO exists or not, can also do the same thing.”

Two WWF-Indonesia Honorary Supporters attending the press conference, Nadine Chandrawinata and Davina Hariadi supported Fitrian’s statement. According to them, their practices of refusing plastic bags would give great contribution in reducing climate change effect.

Not only socializing biodegradable bags, the green initiative was also carried on by launching Centro Go Green Activity together with WWF-Indonesia  in the form of special counter selling special edition of t-shirts and tote bags. All consumers buying those products from green corner will automatically give donation to WWF-Indonesia. In the program, 20 percent of all purchase will be donated for supporting WWF-Indonesia  conservation activities.