Change is in the Bag
This past week our local grocery store, as part of the larger franchise, began a full-force campaign to promote reuseable grocery bags. I read in our newspaper that they would begin charging 5 cents for each plastic bag used. I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical that this was a strong enough incentive for people to ditch a habit that had probably begun decades ago. Is 5 cents really enough to make a difference?
I have to admit that today as I headed off to the store, I completely forgot about the new campaign. Thankfully, I have gotten into the habit of keeping my bags and bins in my trunk. As I pulled into my parking space and grabbed my bags, I was delighted to see large signs with bold words asking people to ‘BRING IT’ along with photos of canvas bags and plastic bins. Everywhere I looked I could see one of these signs. This could certainly help cure anyone who had a tendency to leave their bags in the car!
As I walked through the store checking items off of my grocery list I noticed that everyone, I mean everyone, had bags with them. Young, old, slightly creepy- it didn’t matter. They had their bags. As I was at the checkout I only saw a couple of plastic bags going out, and these were only purchased because the customer just didn’t have quite enough canvas bags and needed a couple of extra.
I thought about what my friend recently told me about her latest trip to Myrtle Beach. She was shocked and horrified when a small grocery trip resulted in 17 plastic bags being used. Even the bananas were bagged individually. She was able to condense all 17 bags into 3 in order to save extra trips from her car to condo. She was absolutely stunned that our small town seemed more environmentally aware than a large mecca like Myrtle Beach.
This new campaign to charge for bags takes it one step further. It is really quite exciting because I feel like I am witnessing change occuring. I know that resusable bags aren’t going to solve all the problems on our planet, but they are a step in the right direction.
Apparently 5 cents is worth more than I thought.
Filed under Easy Being Green |2 Responses to “Change is in the Bag”
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I know! We made it a point to go to Loblaw’s on Earth Day to support the company for their efforts! It was so wonderful to see that it did not scare customers away.
I read in our local paper that did an interview with some higher-heads of the company that after a market study in some areas, they found out that rewrading people 5 cents for every bag used only made the plastic bag use go down like 11%. But cahrging people 5 cents made the use of plastic bags go down like 55%.
The world revolves around money… When you get back 5 cents, it seems like nothing. Tell someone they HAVE to pay 5 cents, they will react. Sad but true.
I applaud the Loblaws group for their efforts.
I think it is a small change in the right direction which could affect millions of us. A pretty big change of viewpoint. I try to load up bags or bins in my car but sometimes we take Bob’s car. Like yesterday. We bought more than we could stuff into my one cloth bag. The cashier looked surprised when I said I would take the yogourt & the carrots without a bag. I have done this several times as it seems silly to bag groceries when they are just going from my car to the house to the fridge anyway. A little thing but less bags are used.