Businesses recognized for tackling plastic pollution [1]
Monday, March 15, 2021 - 17:20
Fourteen Tongan businesses were recognized for their initiatives in tackling plastic pollution to mark World Consumer Rights Day 2021 today, March 15.
Held under a theme ‘Tackling Plastic Pollution’ or ‘Tau’i e Veve Pelesitiki’ with a localized slogan ‘Be a no pelesitiki consumer’ the recipeints were presented with certificates from Hon. Frederica Tuita Filipe, Patron of a the campaign.
Efforts included businesses substituting plastic bags with paper bags and Tongan baskets, while others carried out routine rubbish collection on land and in the lagoon, among other actions.
Hon. Frederica spoke on the significance of making the right choice as a consumer.
She said the theme 'Tackle Plastic Pollution' brings the message closer to us in Tonga, that we are a part of a global community that is concerned about plastic pollution.
"This indeed is very encouraging for the work that we do with the No Pelesitiki campaign network."
She gave a scenario of two families: one being a plastic consumer and suffering the consequences in the future in a contaminated environment with no knowledge of how they got there; and the other family being a no pelesitiki consumer, who were taught to recycle, reduce and reuse plastic litter, living in a resilient and cleaner environment in the future.
Imagine if all of us are given the choice to use either plastic bags or non-plastic bags at the counters, what would you do?”
“The choice is yours. Happy World Consumer Day to you all and Be a No Pelesitiki Consumer.”
This event organized by the Consumer Affairs of the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, also held a “No Pelesitiki Clean-Up Day” on Saturday, March 13 on Vuna Road.
Businesses included Pacific Timber and Hardware, Hadassah Educational Stop, A. Cowley and Sons, Banana Leaf, Momo Cookies, Weta Coffee, Koko Scents, True Vava’u, Blue Banana Beach House and KLEAN, Fafa Island Resort, Ancient Tonga, ‘Oholei Beach Resort, No-Pelesitiki Campaign, and Tonga National Youth Congress.