Eliminating Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bags

Earth Week 2020 Update

As we continue to assess best practices in light of COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the annual distribution of our Earth Week bags. We had previously shared that alongside the distribution of Earth Week bags the week of April 20th, we would also be discontinuing the use of single-use plastic bags at check-out in advance of legislation slated for July 1st (Act 69). At this time, we are choosing to continue offering single-use paper and plastic bags in light of the current reality. Transitioning away from single-use plastics remains a priority for the Co-op and we look forward to reassessing an appropriate date for both the distribution of our reusable bags and the transition away from single-use plastics at a more appropriate time in the near future. 

Updated April 14, 2020

Starting April 20, 2020, City Market Will Remove Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bags

City Market is excited to share that as of Monday, April 20, 2020, they will eliminate single-use plastic carryout bags at both store locations. In years past, they have temporarily removed all single-use carryout bags during Earth Week and distributed 25,000 free, reusable bags to customers. They will be offering the reusable bags again this year during the week of April 20th. However, once this concludes, and unlike in previous years, they will no longer have the single-use plastic carryout bags at the register and will instead transition to offering paper bags as the carryout option.

This change will precede legislation expected to take effect in July of 2020 (Act 69) and is part of an overall commitment that the Co-op has made to reduce single-use plastics in the store. The Co-op will continue to assess other various packaging throughout the store and is committed to finding sustainable solutions consulting with Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) and other local partners to ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure.

As part of the Co-op’s environmental framework, they remain committed to waste management, energy efficiency, plastic reduction, and natural resource management. Eliminating single-use plastic carryout bags builds on their existing initiatives like film plastic recycling, refrigeration efficiency and waste diversion where the Co-op has played a leadership role within the local retail industry and across the national cooperative network.

John Tashiro, City Market’s General Manager, says, “We are excited to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day this spring with a commitment to reducing single-use plastics in our stores. Throughout our history, we have remained committed to environmental stewardship, most recently with the brownfield remediation work at our South End store and the implementation of the first transcritical CO2 refrigeration system in the state. Eliminating single-use plastic bags at the registers represents part of a larger commitment to environmental stewardship and a store-wide commitment to waste reduction.”

For questions please contact Assistant Director of Community Engagement, Mae Quilty, at mquilty@citymarket.coop