Wal-Mart to cut global plastic shopping bag waste
- why the difference? Do they have less faith in Americans to switch to a more environmentally friendly habit?
by Nicole Maestri
Reuters
NEW YORK - Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Thursday it will cut its worldwide plastic shopping bag waste by an average of 33 percent per store by 2013, an effort the world's biggest retailer said could eliminate more than 135 million pounds of plastic waste globally.
To meet that goal, Wal-Mart stores will give out fewer bags and encourage shoppers to use reusable ones.
The announcement is part of the discount retailer's overarching goal of one day creating zero waste.
It also comes amid a global push to curb the use of plastic bags, which environmentalists say can take up to 1,000 years to disintegrate and pose threats to marine life, birds and other animals.
Earlier this year, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to outlaw non-biodegradable plastic bags from large supermarkets, and the state of California has enacted a law that requires large stores to take back plastic bags and encourage their reuse.
Wal-Mart said its stores in Mexico and the United States are introducing cheaper, affordable reusable bags. While in the United States it currently sells a reusable bag for $1, the retailer said it will begin offering a new reusable bag for 50 cents each.
To reach its goal of reducing plastic bag waste globally by 33 percent, Wal-Mart is aiming for a 25 percent reduction from its U.S. stores and a 50 percent reduction from its international operations.
3 Comments:
so, they expect you to stuff their wares in your pockets? Isn't that called shoplifting? And where does Walmart get their ideas? Since when are they the moral compass for America? Aren't they just a 500 pound elephant in the room flexing their muscles? Why not pay their customers for bringing in the bags for recycling? Oops, I forgot, Walmart is in business to make money and push the costs onto their suppliers.
Funny how the retailer that typically used 1 plastic bag for about 2 items each time you check out is NOW cutting back. I almost started to feel like they trained their people to back 1 - 2 items only in each bag. It seemed really wasteful so I'm glad they're deciding to cut back and sell the reusable bags cheaper.
It's about time that big retailers take a stand about the plastic bag issue.
Go to a store like Aldi's either you bring your own bags or you have to buy them.
If anyone has every shopped in Europe or Canada, you know that you have to bring a bag for your purchases or but one.
It's not that hard to do, just do it! It's good for the Earth and our future.
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