The small business is a pioneer in the use of ecological materials.

The little trade of Valencia has begun to deliver to their customers plastic bags biodegradable. Bags disappear completely within three years thanks to a coating saline. The Confederation of Commerce of Valencia has distributed ten thousand first units within a campaign that aims to educate consumers about sustainable development and energy savings, according to the secretary general of Covaco, Amparo Barroso. The bags do not have an extra cost to small business customers.
Traders have been Valencians advance the Government's plan to halve the number of single-use bags. The two main problems presented by traditional plastic bags is their low rate of recycling and it takes more than three decades to degrade completely.

Valenciano each receive half of 238 bags a year, reflecting the distribution of over 10,500 million units in Spain every twelve months. Only 10% ends in yellow containers, which can be reused. Most ends up in landfills, although some reach the sea, where they become a death trap for turtles to confuse with jellyfish, and in the field.

All experts agree that traditional plastic bags will disappear, but can not agree on the date. On January 1st 2002, Ireland imposed a fee of fifteen cents per bag and demand fell by 90%. The Catalan Government was to ban free plastic bags, but last month laid back.

Covaco out the use of biodegradable bags made from potato starch by high cost. Some supermarkets give customers the option of buying these bags for 39 cents a unit. The advantage of bags of potatoes on which it is being distributed Covaco away in ninety days.

Covaco aims to strengthen the brand image of its 45,000 retail partners, through 212 groups, focusing on the promotion of ecological and social values. During 2009 four will boost advertising campaigns to coincide with the seasons, with the slogans: "Make good use of energy", "Leave the car at home", "Your city cleaner and Concilia your family life."

Levante 13/02/2009

R. Ferrando