Several grocers over the last few years have been providing a small rebate, usually three to five cents, for each reusable bag shoppers bring in. But some are finding it not much of an incentive.
In fact, a spokesperson for Kroger told The Associated Press that it has found no significant difference between reusable bag frequency in markets with rebates and those without them. As such, Kroger has begun to phase out the bag discounts at some of its stores. Safeway and Meijer have reportedly begun to do the same.
Instead, Kroger is increasing education efforts. Parking lot signs, for instance, ask, "Are your reusable bags still in the car?" In-store signage explains that one reusable bag can replace hundreds of disposable bags. Another states, "Less Plastic? Fantastic."
For its part, Safeway is offering 10 percent off its line of environmentally friendly home products to shoppers who use the Safeway "Bright Green" reusable bags.
The changes illustrate the industry's slow progress to date in getting people into the habit of using reusable bags.
"I think in today's world, 'sustainability' and that kind of feel-good issue associated with living lighter doesn't seem to have the same impact or priority when compared to prices and all that kind of stuff," Bill Bishop, chairman, Willard Bishop Consulting, told The Toledo Blade.
According the Food Marketing Institute, half of shoppers in a recent survey said they "try" to bring reusable bags to stores, an increase of 10 percent over 2009. But half also reported their use of the reusable bags as "never" or "less than monthly."
Beyond eco-goodwill, retailers also stand to significantly reduce supply expenses if all shoppers begin touting canvas bags. Kroger saved more than 200 million plastic bags in 2009.
But retailers remain on the fence when it comes to fully supporting local reusable bag proposals. Several states are now considering bans on plastic bags or requiring fees on disposable bags following similar actions taken by some local and county governments. If plastic bags are banned, retailers would be forced to offer more expensive paper bags for shoppers neglecting to bring their own reusable bags. Some stores are charging up to 10 cents each for paper bag use. Not surprisingly, there's been some consumer backlash to the fees charged for disposable bag use.
- Some grocers abandon rebates for reusable bags - The Associated Press/USA Today
- For some shoppers, ‘reusable' not their bag - The Toledo Blade
- Poll: Americans Oppose Big-Government Regulation of Plastic Bags - Consumer Freedom
- Grocery stores sit on the fence during Maryland's bag-tax debate - TBD
- Plastic shopping bag ban begins in Santa Monica - Los Angeles Times