The communities in Yap State are making a name for themselves by adapting reusable bags rather than the conventional plastic bags found in most grocery stores across the globe.
Since July 2014, approved locally designed and homemade reusable bags began surfacing in Yap in response to the plastic bag ban. One particular women’s group in Yap was recently highlighted by the National Geographic for capitalizing on this new policy by weaving reusable bags made out of local materials that promotes a more sustainable way of shopping.
Since the implementation of the plastic bag ban, the Yap Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been posting notices education the public of the purpose of the ban.
Most notices read “plastic grocery bags are responsible for the death of many fish, turtles, dolphins, and other marine animals that are essential to the food security and ecology of Yap.”
EPA earlier expressed hope would provide far-reaching and hopefully long-term benefits such as a healthy reef and the protection of marine life.
Retailers in Yap are subject to a $100 fine if they provide a customer with a plastic grocery bag.
