‘Desperate Housewives’ Star Promotes Recycling, Reusable Bags

Texas-based grocery store H.E. Butt Grocery Co. (H-E-B) is launching an April ad-campaign featuring Eva Longoria Parker discussing the impact of recycling and using reusable shopping bags.

In addition, H-E-B stores will be selling Longoria Parker-themed reusable bags at each of its locations, while also collecting plastic bags from customers for recycling.

Starting April 1, Longoria Parker will partner with H.E. Butt Grocery Co. in an effort to promote recycling. Photo: Z.about.com

The advertisements began April 1 and will run both in-store and on television as part of H-E-B’s Earth Day campaign. The 30-second spots include Longoria Parker, one of the stars of television’s Desperate Housewives and a Texas native, sharing statistics about recycling.

“The environment is very important to me and through various initiatives of my own and with partners like H-E-B, I work to educate people about what they can do to save the planet by using less energy, recycling and implementing ‘green’ business and personal practices,” said Eva Longoria Parker. “Together, we can make a noticeable difference.”

H-E-B’s 22 Houston stores not only accept plastic bags for recycling, but they also collect many types of paper, plastic and metal cans. The store is encouraging reusable bag use because one bag can replace six plastic bags, which are made of petroleum.

Many other cities and retailers have addressed the impact of plastic bags, whether by instituting recycling programs, plastic bag taxes or outright bans. While plastic bags are recyclable into products such as plastic lumber, they are recycled less than 10 percent of the time and are frequently cited as a top source of marine debris.