Retailers launch eco-friendly services

Many supermarkets nationwide have collected used batteries, offered reusable bags and cut prices on energy-savings devices in response to the Earth Hour event scheduled from 8:30pm-9:30pm tonight.

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Besides promoting a green lifestyle on its online game Green Earth, the Big C supermarket chain has begun a long-term programme to collect used batteries at its offices and supermarkets nationwide.

The aim is to help raise awareness among its staff and customers about the potential harm to the environment caused by improper disposal of used batteries.

Big C is also offering reusable bags to shoppers at a low price to limit the use of plastic bags.
Similarity, LOTTE Mart supermarket chain is encouraging customers and staff to collect used batteries to protect the environment and save energy in peak hours.

Between 9am and11am on March 28, the supermarket will present environmentally friendly bags to customers who have contributed 1a0-20 used batteries.

All collected batteries will be transferred to a factory specialising in hazardous waste treatment, said Yoon Byung Soon, administrative director of LOTTE Mart Viet Nam.

In addition, Big C, LOTTE Mart and Saigon Co.op outlets, including Co.opmart chain, Co.opXtra, Sense City mall and Co.op Food stores, will turn off many of their lights for an hour from 8:30pm tonight in support of the Earth Hour Campaign.

Co.opmart chain and Co.opXtra have also cut prices between 28 and 50 per cent on thousands of energy-saving products until April 8, including rice cookers, rechargeable lights, electric fans and induction cookers of Comet, Rang Dong, Supor, Honey, Sunhouse, Bluestar and Lifan brands.

From March 30 to April 4, the supermarkets will present 350,000 eco-friendly bags and more than 70,000 essential products to shoppers who purchase products from companies that engage in eco-friendly practices, such as P&G, Unilever, Dutch Lady and Miliket Colusa.

Around 5,000 people are expected to take part in the 2015 Green Earth Hour Campaign in HCM City's Youth Cultural House on March 28, organised by Saigon Giai Phong newspaper in collaboration with the departments of Natural Resources and Environment, Industry and Trade, the HCM City Communist Youth Union and Saigon Co.op. Earth Hour was first organised by the World Wild Fund for Nature in Australia in 2007 for action to prevent climate change, and has since grown to become the world's largest voluntary action for the planet.

Viet Nam joined in 2009, with thousands of participants across the country.