Big news recently in the grocery business:Plastic bags are slightly better than paper from a global warming point of view. But at least paper bags biodegrade if they're not disposed of properly. Misplaced plastic bags have contributed to a swirling plastic trash vortex the size of Texas out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.The Whole Foods Market chain said Tuesday that it would stop offering plastic grocery bags, giving customers instead a choice between recycled paper or reusable bags.
A rising number of governments and retailers are banning plastic bags, or discouraging their use, because of concerns about their environmental impact. San Francisco banned plastic bags last year unless they are of a type that breaks down easily. China announced a crackdown on plastic bags a few weeks ago, while other governments, including New York City’s, are making sure retailers offer plastic bag recycling.
The bag effort is far from Whole Foods' only green initiative:
One legit criticism of Whole Foods has come over its anti-union stances.
Not all of us have a Whole Foods nearby. Meanwhile, The Green Miles lives across the street from a Harris Teeter, so firing up the car to drive to Whole Foods would negate the environmental benefits.
But do you shop green? A recent survey says that while Americans like those ideas in theory, they don't actually practice those habits.
Do you buy organic products? Use a reusable grocery bag? Support green businesses?This is what she said:
ANYTIME enough customers complain and recommend something to Kroger it reaches the higher levels. SO complain!!
She went to Arizona this fall and brought me bag some really nice re-usable FRYS bags. They look small but hold a ton of groceries!
I am getting better about taking my own bags...still not great but getting better.I have to remember to take them back out to the car after unloading.
If you shop at any Kroger take your own bags and mention the whole plastic bag issue! Also: Kroger is a Union Shop!!!! I don't think there are any Kroger stores in NOVA but they are located in pretty much the rest of the state.
I agree that with reusable bags it takes a while to get to the point where you make a habit of bringing them every time. But then again, once you do, it's so nice not to be buried under an avalanche of bags every time you open the cabinet under the sink!
Whole Foods, Harris Teeter and any of the other "hip" environmentally friendly stores that seek to appeal to upper middle class consumers by being green but, who neglect their own employees, won't get my business.
There's a vast difference between a business that truly treats its employees so well that the employees don't want a union, don't organize for one and wouldn't vote one in and a company that has to actively engage in union busting, as Whole Foods did.
I also am opposed to the libertarian philosophy of Whole Foods owner, which economically means no regulation, regardless of how sensible; no miniumum wage; total free market; and the government is always the problem - sound like any party you know?
I want to shop green but that's a deal breaker for me.
They make Earth's Best organic baby foods available and affordable, employ their own dietician who publishes heart and cancer healthy tips and they make EC available and their pharmacists don't prevent anyone from obtaining it. If a pharmacist is there who doesn't believe in EC there is always another option available for the customer.
Kroger is not the best grocery store but it's way better than Wal Mart and is a Fortune 50 company !
The only reason I used to hoard the plastic bags was for scooping the cats' litter box. With the loss of the plastic bags, I bought a small trash can (with a tight cover) we keep next to the litter box. So even scooping is easier now. Win win situation.
Giant also gives a 3 cent rebate every time you use the cloth bag. As much as I shop, the bags end up essentially free. But at less than a buck, I've used them for other things and replaced 'em. (most of our Xmas decorations are in storage in 2 Giant bags now instead of replacing the old card board boxes.)
We only have Food Kitty and Kroger and the local farmer's market!
It is fun to say "neither" when asked by the clerk!
In 2002, Ireland passed a tax on plastic bags; customers who want them must now pay 33 cents per bag at the register. There was an advertising awareness campaign. And then something happened that was bigger than the sum of these parts.Within weeks, plastic bag use dropped 94 percent. Within a year, nearly everyone had bought reusable cloth bags, keeping them in offices and in the backs of cars. Plastic bags were not outlawed, but carrying them became socially unacceptable - on a par with wearing a fur coat or not cleaning up after one's dog.