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Paper or Plastic

Tuesday Whole Foods market announced they will no longer use plastic bags in their stores.

They will use either recycled paper or reusable shopping bags.

Whole foods has 270 chains and a local store here in Charlottesville.

They have done a test run of this in San Francisco and Toronto Canada with great success!

The "whole" idea is to reduce the 50-80 billion plastic bags that end up in land fills each year.

I predict that this trend will go to other store chains very quickly

On January 16th our Virginia Legislator "Introduced: the following Bill to the Assembly.

SB711: Plastic carryout bags; retail merchant shall provide durable plastic bag, with handles, etc.

Here is a link to the current status of that Bill

Green building has become very popular and now the consumer is being brought into it too.

Posted by Charlottesville Real Estate - Your Trusted Broker Charles McDonald on 01/24/2008 06:25 AM

Comments (34)

recycle, green, cville

Originally posted at: Charlottesville Real Estate: Paper or Plastic

Post is included in group: VIRGINIA

34 Comments on Paper or Plastic

JAN

2008

Hats off to Whole Foods. I am not sure other stores will soon follow in their footsteps...but we can make a difference on our own. Bring your own bags to the store. You can recycle the ones at home you already have or better yet, they make nice cotton bags that are great for groceries that you can take with you everywhere you shop.

I think that is a great idea. Have them make them bigger and I can put my yard waste in the used bags. Whatever happened to the old warehouse stores that would give you a discount if you brought in your own bags?

Charles, it's about time that the greenest and most organic grocery market went even more green. We've got two great Whole Foods stores within 15 minutes of where I live. Great place to shop or just to sample some new cuisines.

I LOVE Harris Teeter as I ask for their large PAPER bags when I shop there and used them at home and in my office for storage, etc.

I use plastic bags to line smaller trash cans at home * keep them in the bottom and when liner is discarded they are easy to find and then line the can so that drippy/leaky items don't get onto the cans.

I use the CLEAR (Lowe's #48) bags to store scarves, sweaters and other items in my closet so that I can find them....

I doubt Wal-Mart, Food Lion or Giant will get rid of plastic bags.....Now that we know that the McIntire Recycling Center is actually taking items to the landfill - we just need the technology and system to recycle them PROPERLY!!

Charles, simple changes will bring big effects which will help all of us.

Charles..I thought they switched to plastic to save trees?So,now I guess we are back to..it is ok to chop down the trees to make bags?LOL

Charles, I love it. I jut wish we had a "Whole Foods" here in Redding. I hope we see this ripple out. I always carry my own cloth shopping bags and reuse them. That's even better and I started that concept 10 years ago with "Whole Foods". Thanks for the post! Some encouraging news!

I carry my canvas bag most of the times to the grocery store it was a freebie from Whole Foods years ago.

Hey Charles,

My wife was talking about this last night. She had seen something similar on the news down here in Florida. I think it is excellent. The plastic bags that are currently being used are horrible for the environment. I actually preferred the old paper bags.

Great Post....I hope this becomes a national thing.

Sean Allen

This is long over due. Good for Whole foods.

Bonner

I have never liked the plastic. With the bags, I can usually carry EVERYTHING inside in one or two trips. With plastic, it took longer. That's good news for me.

Whatever is used, I need to be able to transport several bags at a time.

I wish we had a Whole Foods in Leesburg. I love that store.

When I was in Europe last week - I bought a few items at a grocery store. I think I was the only person in the store who didn't have my own reusable/grocery bag. (Wow talk about feeling out of place!)

The clerk gladly sold me a heavy-duty plastic bag (for about $1.50 US). It was that or juggle my things back to my hotel. It seems the good ole US is a bit behind on being green.

It takes more energy to build a paper bag so hopefully they will get rid of them as well and everyone will have to bring a resuable bag. It is going to take awhile, but that would be great.

Hi Charles - I read on another blog earlier in the week that California is also implementing this change in all their super market as well.

Well finally! Maybe we will come full circle on this paper vs. plastic thing. I remember paper being the only thing that was used when I was growing up. Eliminating the plastic is certainly good for the environment and I've always hated the plastic bags anyway. but then what does this mean for the trees?! I guess there is enough wasted paper that recycling is the way.

Charles, it baffles me as to why more stores do not go back to paper or reusable bags. Thanks for sharing.

I heard this on the news earlier in the week...I'm excited about this 'small step' and feel encouraged that others will follow soon. I remember, not too long ago it seems, when all the stores went from paper bags to plastic in order to help save the trees. Plastic was a terrible alternative...the streets are covered with 'blowing' plastic bags here...they don't disintergrate...not many reuse them.

Charles,

'Recycling' isn't something that should require legislation...it should be our personal responsibility!!! Thanks, Fran

Congrats to Whole Foods! I ALWAYS ask for paper and the bagger ALWAYS looks at me like I have six eyes!! I like them, not only for their 'green' qualities, but they don't float around like the plastic in the back of my car!!

Good post Charles. When I go to the local store and they ask paper or plastic, I say, "How about cotton?" and produce my cotton tote bags for them to pack my groceries. I'm sure that there is some plastic bag consortium that will complain about this. 8-}

Charles, I agree with you - plastic bags are on their way out - it is just a shame it has taken so long for it to come about, Karen

Charles, we have a fairly new Whole Foods here in Birmingham. While I actually usually get plastic (stone me) from other grocery stores, every time I go to Whole Foods I respect the fact that they do paper and encourage the cloth and/or boxes for grocery transport. I can respect that! (and their paper bags are a lot more durable than most other stores which is why I end up with plastic there)

Whoohoo! I heard Kohls department stores are looking to do the same thing. I am proud to say I just bought cloth bags from Walmart of all places to use for my groceries. Everyone can do their part.

JAN

2008

Simple changes can make a whole world of difference ! I re-use all of my bags..my local grocery store has now added a feature of "shopping totes" they are $3 per bag.they look like a beach tote..and are very reusable !

Charles~All the many positive changes to that we need to make in our environment and this really is an important one. I haven't yet seen this take place in Utah. Most of the stores out here no longer provide paper bags.

Charles - I am so pleased that more and more stores have stopped using plastic!

WOW what a GREAT RESPONCE TO THIS POST!!!!

I am glad to see so many of you in support of this idea.

I just want to add: when we use these re-useable bags, can we get the guy who fills them at the store to follow us home and put the groceries away for us????

Seriously, recycling is a great thing!!!

JAN

2008

Charles

You know ..we live 25 miles from the city and I find these bags in the tops of our trees sometimes...I am glad the stores are becoming pro-active on this.

TREY - WOW 25 miles from town. That is too much!

JAN

2008

Hi Charles, I like that .. I always opt for the paper bags when I shop!

G - that is great!!!

FEB

2008

I've noticed several stores are offereing recycled cloth bags to use when purchasing your groceries etc such as Wally World (not it's real name of course). Last week they had a reusable shopping bag in their check out isle's for several dollars, but the down part is that they were smaller than the plastic bags they normally use, therefore you'd have to purchase more bags to make up for the lack in size. I am all for saving the planet and doing my part in cutting down on non reusables. Great Post Charles, I hope we all can do something everyday to make a better place for our children and grandchildren

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