Reusable Bag Use at Whole Foods Triples

The use of reusable bags at Whole Foods has tripled within the last year, the Austin, Texas-based grocery chain estimates. During that time, the grocer has kept an estimated 150 million plastic bags out of landfills.

Last April, to celebrate Earth Day, Whole Foods eliminated disposable plastic bags at all of its store checkouts. “At first we wondered if shoppers would just switch to paper but to our great surprise, people have been truly excited about using reusable bags,” said A.C. Gallo, co-president and chief operating officer for Whole Foods Market, in a press release. “I think Whole Foods Market has also helped that along by offering various versions of stylish, affordable 99 cent bags that have become quite popular - our shoppers have been inspired to make a positive environmental change and have really incorporated the reusable bag mindset into their daily lives. Eliminating plastic bags was definitely the right move at the right time.”