Sobeys, Wegmans Continue Reducing Plastic Bags

October 13, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Sobeys’ stores in Ontario have exceeded the province’s targeted guidelines for reducing plastic bags.

Sobeys, which operates in Ontario under the Sobeys, Foodland and IGA banners, has reduced plastic bag use by 72 percent, compared to the province’s goal of a 50 percent cut, reports Supermarket News.

Six months ago Sobeys quit giving out free plastic bags and instituted a five-cent per bag charge.

Another supermarket chain is using a carrot rather than a stick to encourage lower use of plastic bags.

Wegmans, a Rochester, N.Y.-based chain, is offering $1-off coupons for certain items to shoppers who check out with reusable bags, reports Supermarket News.

The program, which offers discounts on frozen meals, fresh meats and greeting cards, runs through November.

Mary Ellen Burris, Wegmans’ senior vice president of consumer affairs, said the coupon was a response to consumer requests to receive an incentive for choosing reusable bags. Some stores offered the consumers a discount of a penny or nickel per bag, she noted.

Recognizing that retailers are trying to reduce plastic bag use to improve their image, a plastic bag group is working to make its products more environmentally friendly.

The Full Circle Recycling Initiative aims for 40 percent recycled content in all plastic bags by 2015, including at least 25 percent postconsumer recycled plastic

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Make sustainability part of your strategy.

Get equipped at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Best Practices: Product Environmental Compliance

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Reader Comments

Unless they are also banning paper bags, this is counter productive. http://bit.ly/V3nUM

Ted@ | October 13th, 2009

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

JEONG CHUN PHUOC on EU Poised to Give Heavy Industry Free Carbon Permits
"“Competitive Intelligence in Environmenting : A Holistic Deal for..."

Philip Vandenberg on Building an Energy-Efficient Data Center Using Virtualization Technology
"Rob has implemented many best practices for data centres..."

George Hoguet on Rising Sea Levels Would Hit U.S. East Coast Hardest
"Want to add some pressure into the system? Check out the Facebook group -NO TV..."

Environmental Leader