Photos by Sonia Chirgwin (WAL)

A 'Clean & Green' Tonga campaign by the Rotary Club Nuku’alofa (RCN) successfully distributed over 1000 'Clean & Green' bags at the Tongatapu Royal Agriculture, Fisheries Show on August 21-22.

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u each received a 'Clean & Green' Tonga bag from RCN President Peter Poulsen. “They were both interested in the initiative to encourage people to use these bags so that fewer disposable plastic bags are used,” said Peter.

'Clean & Green' Tonga is part of RCN's initiative in partnership with the Rotary Club of Rotorua North (NZ) who together sponsored the bags production and distribution. Waste Authority Limited (WAL) supported the distribution of the bags, as part of their 'Clean Green' Tonga activities, developed following earlier discussions with RCN.  

Many of the people receiving the bags at the show also signed a pledge:

" 'Oku ou palōmesi keu ngaue’aki ‘ae kato Loteli ko’eni ki he’eku fai fakatau. ‘E toe  si’isi’i ai ‘eku ngaue’aki ai ‘ae milemila ‘i ha’aku alu ‘o fai fakatau.  ‘Oku ou palōmesi keu tokoni’i  ‘ae tauhi ‘a Tonga ke ma’a mo faka’ofa’ofa ma’a kitautolu kae ‘umaa ‘ae kau ‘a’ahi mai ki hotau fonua."

"I promise to use this Rotary bag for my shopping and will use fewer throw away plastic bags. I am committed to helping us have a cleaner and greener Tonga for the people of Tonga and our visitors."

Another 4000 bags will be distributed at other events over the next months.