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Plastics industry praises supermarket checkout girl

business

Plastics industry praises supermarket checkout girl

Abu Dhabi-based woman handed Order of Merit after using an estimated 400 million plastic bags

Some plastic bags.

Abu Dhabi: A supermarket employee in Abu Dhabi has been awarded the ‘Order of Merit’ by the International Plastics and Petrochemicals Organisation for her services to the industry.

Rogan Josh, a 24-year-old Filipino checkout worker for Wait N’ Shop in the UAE capital, was presented with the award after using an estimated 400 million plastic bags over her twelve year career, working out at roughly 48 bags per item that she’s sold.

“She’s an inspiration to us all,” said Phil Moreland, the organisation’s Chairman at the awards ceremony. “If every checkout worker was as diligent as Rogan, the plastics industry will be able to ride out the current economic situation and backlash from the environmental naysayers.”

Moreland said that the Middle East was becoming the most important region for the plastics industry, where supermarket checkout workers frequently pack up their customers’ shopping using “joyously ludicrous” amounts of plastic bags.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to our friends in the Middle East,” said Moreland. “Without their tireless efforts to unnecessarily package even the smallest items, such as a pack of chewing gum, in vast swathes of plastic, our industry would be in crisis.”

The ‘Rising Star’ award at this year’s ceremony was given to 18-year-old Nathanial Bodkins, an Indian checkout boy in Bahrain, who last week used 56 plastic bags for a four-item shop.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. ebb

    April 6, 2012 at 8:54 am

    These accomplishments are ok, but more can be done. The next time I buy a dozen eggs I want them individually and gently placed in 12 separate bags. In this way I will impress my fellow shoppers with how much they think I might have spent.

    • Schtoo

      April 7, 2012 at 9:33 am

      I think this idea could be extended further. I, in particular are very fond of keeping my peas as fresh as possible (wether bought fresh or frozen).

      So I shall ask next time I go to a supermarket that they individually wrap every pea in it’s own miniature plastic bag.

      Although I bet that the supermarket will have ran out of those and will only place each pea in it’s own giant bag, suitable for holding a microwave or suffocating a horse. But such is the sad state of plastics in the middle east I guess, they need all the help they can get.

  2. shoulabob

    April 14, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    The excessive use of plastic bags by shoppers is becoming a srious concern to us camels. As people know, plastic bags form a major part of our natural Die-it and we ask you all to use plastic bags sparingly or at least discard them properly across the desert.
    Thank you,
    The Camel-tows

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