5,000 Reusable Bags for a Greener Bahrain This Ramadan

As shoppers enter bustling supermarkets across Manama this Ramadan, they will be greeted not just by groceries, but by a small yet powerful step toward sustainability - reusable cotton bags handed out as part of the new community initiative, “Impact for Good.”

Launched by the Rotary Club of Manama, the programme aims to reduce single-use plastic and encourage eco-friendly habits among residents. In collaboration with Al Jazira and LuLu, the bags will be distributed at supermarket entrances as part of a three-month campaign beginning at the start of Ramadan.

This first Impact for Good activation aims to tackle the widespread overuse of plastic bags, a global environmental pollutant that remains difficult to recycle at scale. In Bahrain, plastic bags are commonly used for everyday shopping, yet many end up in landfills or as litter, contributing to long-term environmental damage and threatening marine ecosystems. Reducing their use has become an increasingly important step toward sustainability.

To offer a practical alternative, the Rotary Club of Manama has designed and produced 5,000 reusable cotton grocery bags. Durable, washable, and suited for daily use, the bags are intended to make sustainable choices easier and more accessible, helping individuals and families reduce reliance on single-use plastics and adopt more responsible habits.

“Impact for Good is designed as a platform for sustained community action,” said Robert Timmers, President of the Rotary Club of Manama. “This first activation focuses on a simple but powerful idea making sustainable choices easier in everyday life. By starting with practical steps such as reusable bags, we hope to inspire long-term behaviour change and encourage collective responsibility for our environment.”

The initiative reflects the values of mindfulness, moderation, and shared responsibility associated with the holy month. By empowering residents to take small yet meaningful steps, the campaign hopes to foster a culture of environmental awareness and collective stewardship across the Kingdom.

With plastic pollution continuing to challenge ecosystems and waste management systems worldwide, initiatives like Impact for Good demonstrate how community-led action can drive tangible change. What better way to start Ramadan than by caring for the environment and the generations to come?