AN official from the Philippine Retailers Association Cebu chapter said that several local retailers are going “green.”

“Although the transition from plastics to recyclable materials may be slow, we are seeing a trend (in which) more and more retailers are trying out recyclable bags, including boutiques,” PRA Cebu president Melanie Ng told Sun.Star Cebu.

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She said there is a need to educate retailers on ways to go green.

“It may not only be through the use of recyclable packaging materials but it could be through some other innovative ways that can create an even bigger and lasting effect,” she said.

PRA Cebu will highlight the green education project for retailers during the 3rd Cebu Regional Retail Conference on July 1 at The Parklane Hotel, where participants will discuss retail strategies to attract customers and stay competitive in 2009 and beyond.

Ng agreed that retailers’ move to go green would not only increase store traffic but would also prompt consumers to be aware of such movement.

“It will be a more meaningful (experience) for the consumers. (They) will get the feel that they are doing their part (in protecting the earth),” she said.

She added that retailers can also save on costs, especially when there is a ready and available supply of packaging products made of recyclable materials.

She cited SM City and Rustan’s, which encourage customers to re-use recyclable materials.

Ng, owner and general manager of Premium Concepts, said the company is shifting to recyclable packaging materials. She added that Premium Concepts is in talks with several suppliers of environment-friendly packaging.