Plastic bags have become an ever-present blot on the Cypriot landscape—stuck on fences, strewn across beaches, blowing across fields, clogging storm drains and hurting wildlife.

Plastic bags have become an ever-present blot on the Cypriot landscape—stuck on fences, strewn across beaches, blowing across fields, clogging storm drains and hurting wildlife. In an attempt to tackle this problem, USAID’s Supporting Activities that Value the Environment (SAVE) project is teaming up with local business and community leaders to raise public awareness about the health and environmental dangers posed by the continued and unnecessary overuse of plastic bags.

The goal of the new “Change is in the Bag” campaign is to challenge everyone living on the island to reduce their use of plastic bags. Signs in participating stores, copy centers, pharmacies, and supermarkets will ask consumers to stop and think—do you really need a bag? When buying a bottle of water or a candy bar, is a bag really necessary? Why not use reusable bags? Why not just place a purchase directly in a purse, briefcase or backpack?

Plastic bags suffocate, disable and kill thousands of marine animals and sea birds each year and are particularly dangerous for sea turtles and migratory birds

In addition to signs at the check out counters of participating stores, the “Change is in the Bag” message will be reinforced through an outreach campaign to the media, environmental organizations and schools. Everyone can contribute to keeping Cyprus beautiful by making a conscious effort to use bags only when necessary and to use reusable bags whenever possible. In addition to decreasing litter in the form of plastic bags, SAVE’s “Change is in the Bag” campaign is meant to reinforce the message that everyone can make a difference. Together, small actions can result in big change!

Like all U.S.-funded programs in Cyprus, SAVE is aimed at facilitating reunification of the island, including through better protection and management of Cyprus’ valuable natural and cultural resources.

• Plastic bags can take up to 1000 years to break down.
• Plastic bags suffocate, disable and kill thousands of marine animals and sea birds each year and are particularly dangerous for sea turtles and migratory birds.
• One reusable bag lasts four years on average and replaces 1200 – 1600 plastic bags. Plastic bags are made from non-renewable, unsustainable and highly polluting materials, so they are harmful to the environment from production through to disposal.

View the flyer: The problem with plastic bags - Just say NO! [pdf-92kb]