The Heap

Reusable Revolution

reusablerevolution.jpgRetail chain Target and drugstore giant CVS announced this week that both would be taking action to promote the use of reusable shopping bags in their stores. According to USA Today, Target will refund shoppers five cents for each reusable bag used to pack the customer’s purchases, while CVS will give customers a $1 cash bonus on their CVS cards every four times they buy something but don't request plastic bags.

The moves are further evidence of a genuine movement among retailers to get customers to adopt reusable shopping bags. While green trendsetters like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have long rewarded customers for bag conscientiousness, even Wal-Mart now features an iconic blue reusable bag in its television ads (though does not reward its customers for using it).

Do you think it’s possible to completely wean Americans off plastic (and occasionally paper) shopping bags?

What's The Heap?

The Heap is a blog featuring waste industry news and analysis written by the staff of Waste Age magazine and guest commentators.

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Steven Averett

Steven Averett joined the Waste Age staff in February 2006. Since then he has helped the magazine expand its coverage and garner a range of awards from FOLIO, the American Society of Business...

Allan Gerlat

Allan Gerlat joined the Waste Age staff in September 2011 as news editor. He was the editor of Waste & Recycling News for the first 16 years of its history, and under his guidance the...
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