Reusable Bag Initiative Highlights Sustainability and Animal Welfare on St. Thomas

This Saturday, visitors to the Francis family produce stand at Market Square East (between Home Depot and CostULess) can participate in a local effort to combat plastic pollution while supporting animal welfare.

Globally Clean®, an organization dedicated to sustainability and animal advocacy, is hosting a flash sale of reusable produce bags as part of its ongoing initiative to reduce waste on the island. The reusable organic cotton bags, available for $2 each or $5 for a bundle of three, are designed to offer shoppers an alternative to single-use plastics. Ferdinand Francis, who operates the stand, emphasized how these bags contribute to sustainability efforts. “If people bring their own bags every time they shop with me, I can reduce the cost of produce for everyone because I won’t have to buy thousands of plastic bags each month,” Francis said. He noted that eliminating plastic bags also reduces the environmental impact associated with importing them.

Globally Clean® was founded in 2020 by Ilana Reich, who saw an opportunity to address the interconnected challenges of waste management and animal welfare in the Virgin Islands. After volunteering with the Humane Society of St. Thomas (HSSTT), Reich expanded her focus, introducing initiatives that raise awareness about reducing plastic waste while encouraging spaying, neutering, and fostering for stray animals.