The Channel Islands Co-operative Society invites young islanders to ‘Design a Fairtrade Bag’

With Fairtrade Fortnight taking place on 24th February until 10th March 2019, The Channel Islands Co-operative Society Limited is inviting pupils from Jersey and Guernsey to take part in its ‘Design a Fairtrade Bag’ competition, as part of its continued efforts to reduce the use of single-use plastics across stores.

The Co-op is looking for students to design the new Fairtrade bags, which will be available to purchase by shoppers in stores. Participants must illustrate the positive effects that buying Fairtrade products can have in their designs. The competition is open to students in Jersey and Guernsey, aged between four and 18 years old. 

The Channel Islands Co-operative Society’s Chief Executive Officer, Colin Macleod, said: ‘We thought this would be an excellent opportunity to involve Channel Island students, working with their local community retailers in Jersey and Guernsey, to make an environmental difference by designing the Co-op’s new Fairtrade bags. This is in line with the Society no longer stocking single-use 5p plastic carrier bags and increasing its range of reusable bags on offer in stores.

‘As the largest supplier of Fairtrade goods in the Channel Islands, we will be celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight with a range of activities at the Co-op, including showcasing our range of Fairtrade goods available through in-store tastings. Our Community Officer, Tanya Dorrity, will be attending primary school assemblies in both Islands to help educate pupils on the big difference that shopping choices can have on the lives of farmers and workers in developing countries. We will also announce the winners of the ‘Design a Fairtrade bag’ competition,’ he added. 

There will be two winners in each Island. The four winners will receive a goody-bag of Fairtrade items as a prize. The winning designs will be printed on 250 bags each and 1,000 Fairtrade bags will be available to purchase in total. 

The closing date for entries is 11:59pm on Friday 22^ndFebruary and the winners will be announced on Monday 4^thMarch 2019.