KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
The Northern store in Rankin Inlet helped mark Earth Day by making a substantial donation to the hamlet from its Greener Living initiative.
Rankin Inlet Northern store manager Terry Kent, left, presents Mayor Robert Janes with a cheque for $7,500 from the sale of plastic bags this past week in Rankin. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo
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The store charges 25 cents per plastic bag in an effort to drastically reduce their use in the community.
Rankin store manager Terry Kent said the Northern, together with the residents of communities across Nunavut, has reduced the use of plastic bags in the territory by 67 per cent and raised more than $497,000 for community-based initiatives.
He said there are now more than four-million less plastic bags in Nunavut communities and landfills.
"As part of the store's promise to reinvest all fees collected from the sale of plastic bags, it's pleased to present the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet with a cheque for $7,500," said Kent.
"Staff and management of the Northern store would like to thank everyone for working with us to improve the environment in the communities we live in.
"Your efforts to reduce the use of plastic bags has helped to create a greener tomorrow."
The Northern store donated more than $6,000 to the Rankin Hunters and Trappers Organization in 2011, and another donation was made in 2012.
Kent said the first donation was used for elders and youths to clean up Itivia.
He said many elders consider Itivia to be one of the more beautiful areas in Rankin.
"The store donated $7,500 in 2012 and, this year, the $7,500 we donated will be put toward the community's annual clean up.
"So, the program is helping to greatly reducing the number of plastic bags in the community and by supporting initiatives to help keep our community clean."
Kent said people have, for the most part, supported the initiative.
He said there was a negative response to paying 25 cents for a plastic bag at the start of the program, but that has almost disappeared.
"People can see the money is going back to the communities in Nunavut and Nunavik.
"So, we don't seem to hear all the negative stuff about the bags anymore.
"People still have an issue paying 25 cents for a bag.
"But, they don't seem to be as bothered by it anymore because they can see it's going back to support good causes."
