Retailers Offer Cash Savings for Reusable Bag Use
by Trey Granger
Published on October 26th, 2009
5 Comments
In a promotion for reusable bags, two of America’s largest retailers, CVS and Target, have developed cash incentive programs for customers that opt out of disposable bags.
Target started with a pilot program earlier this year in 100 stores, in which customers received a 5-cent discount for each reusable bag they brought. The project resulted in a decrease in plastic bag use by 58 percent. In light of the success, the program will go nationwide in 1,700 stores on Nov. 1.
The key is to buy the right kind of reusable bags. However, if the bags are cheap and do not last long, they will end up in the landfill and defeat the purpose of your purchase. Photo: Amanda Wills, Earth911.com
CVS will offer a higher discount, but you have to be a member of CVS’s ExtraCare rewards program. For 99 cents, members will get a leaf-shaped Green Bag Tag card, which can be attached to a reusable bag. The card will then be scanned at each purchase. After every fourth shopping trip, a $1 Extra Buck coupon will be printed on their receipt.
The programs also tie in with recent legislation in California and Florida that look to ban paper and plastic disposable bags from retail stores.
In a fitting twist, reusable bags are often made out of recycled plastic, meaning they not only keep disposable bags out of landfills but also provide another use for recycled plastic bottles. While plastic recycling is steadily increasing, its 27 percent overall recycling rate is less than half that of aluminum and cardboard.
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Ashley
posted on December 15th, 2009 at 12:50 am
Shoppers Food Warehouse is offering a deal like Target. Every reusable bag a customer brings in gives them a 5 cent discount up to twenty bags. Hopefully they will start charging soon which will also help conserve bags.