Aqaba, Aug. 27 (Petra) -- The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) has launched a campaign to distribute around 100,000 paper bags free of charge to bakeries and food businesses across the city, as part of an initiative aimed at reducing reliance on plastic bags and promoting environmentally friendly alternatives.
The campaign, implemented in cooperation with the Aqaba Chamber of Commerce, is part of the "Towards a Plastic-Free Aqaba" initiative.
The bags are produced locally by the Alternatives Paper Bags Factory, which is operated by the Bayt Al-Ward Women’s Association in Aqaba Industrial City. ASEZA supported the factory and purchased the bags allocated for distribution to participating businesses this year, combining the environmental campaign with support for local production and community-based enterprises.
Taghreed Maaytah, director of ASEZA’s Environment Protection and Sustainability Directorate, said providing the bags free of charge during the first year is intended to encourage bakeries and food establishments to transition to more sustainable packaging.
She said ASEZA plans to continue the initiative next year, when participating businesses will be asked to make a nominal contribution toward the cost of the paper bags. The approach is designed to support the initiative’s longer-term sustainability and increase private-sector participation in environmental protection.
In a separate environmental and community initiative, ASEZA’s Wadi Rum Directorate launched the "Bayraq Shaddad Al-Rakayeb" program with the participation of 30 students from the area.
The program aims to strengthen young people’s connection to Wadi Rum’s natural environment and cultural heritage while developing the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to conservation efforts.
Wadi Rum Director Saleh Al-Nuaimat said the initiative seeks to strengthen students’ sense of responsibility toward their community and deepen their connection to Wadi Rum’s identity, natural landscape and cultural heritage.
The program includes training, awareness and practical activities covering the local environment, Wadi Rum’s natural and cultural heritage, the protection of its resources and the preservation of its tourism assets.
It also seeks to strengthen cooperation among schools, the local community and organizations working in tourism, youth development and nature conservation, while encouraging young people to play a greater role in protecting local ecosystems and preserving the area’s Bedouin heritage.
//Petra// RZ
