Grocer Big Y to Phase Out Single-use Plastic Bags

Grocery store chain Big Y announced it will phase out single-use plastic bags in its stores by 2020.

The Massachusetts-based retailer has 70 stores across its chain—30 of which are in Connecticut. According to a CT Post article, the grocer will offer special discounted pricing and promotions on its reusable bags during 2019 to ensure a smooth transition.

Additionally, Big Y currently collects single-use plastic bags from customers at each store and sends them to recycling plants for use in decking. Other sustainability efforts include donations to the five food banks within Big Y’s marketing area, including meat, produce and bakery items. Big Y also takes part in paper and cardboard recycling programs and composting.

NBC Connecticut has more details:

The end is coming for single-use plastic bags at Big Y supermarkets.

The company released a statement Tuesday that says it plans to eliminate the single-use bags from checkouts at its 70 supermarkets and specialty stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

The company said it has been complying with bans on single-use plastic bags in six Massachusetts communities and that led to evaluating a possible ban chain-wide. The goal now is to make the shift to reusable bags.

Big Y estimates it uses 100 million plastic bags and 3.5 million paper bags each year and said paper bags aren't the answer because of increased greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.

Related:Addressing the Global Plastic Waste Crisis

Read the full article here.