Does your grocery store actually recycle the used bags?

**cheappearls** · 02-07-2007, 11:49 AM

You have seen the boxes/barrels/whatever saying "Please put used shopping bags here" with the recycle symbol but does those bags actually get recycled?

Well I call my local Walmart to find out.

I was disappointed but I got a semi answer (after waiting 15 minutes on hold.) The person that finally got the phone said the bags are sent off to a company for recycling but she didn't know the company name. So I'm going to write up an email to send, maybe I'll get an answer from someone that knows and can explain to me exactly what the process is (including company names).

Just a thought.

**cheappearls** · 02-07-2007, 11:58 AM

This is the email I sent to the store:

I just got off the phone with one of your employees, Kelly. I had called to ask how the used shopping bags that were returned to the store are recycled and I was disappointed that I was on hold for 15 minutes waiting for someone to tell me they are sent off to a company she didn't know the name of.

I am very concerned about the environment and I want to be assured that if I return my bags to the store that they are actually recycled and not just thrown in a dumpster later.

If you could give me a better answer then Kelly did, please contact me either by phone or by email. I would really appreciate it.

Now I just have to wait for an answer. I'll post when/if I get one.

**foxxyroxie** · 02-07-2007, 11:55 PM

I don't know of any grocery store in our area that does it but our day old bread store requests that you bring in your own bags/box and you can leave bags for the future customers. They have the used bags behind the counter. I prefer to bring my own bags... just for sanitary reasons... may be weird but that's how I am.

**wanderlusting** · 02-08-2007, 01:32 AM

CheapPearls

I did want to let you know of an interesting way a company is using old plastic bags. Patagonia is a an eco-friendly outdoor apparel company that I like to use when I'm buying my outdoor gear. They make fleeces and jackets out of recycled plastic bags! I love them-they're a lot softer than you'd think. Then when the fleece is to the point where you can't wear it anymore (takes years and years to get to that point), send it to the company and they recycle it into a new fleece or jacket!

Just thought you'd like to know a way that plastic bags are being re-used. Oh yeah, and they also make things out of recycled plastic bottles!

**cheappearls** · 02-08-2007, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by jennybethg

CheapPearls

I did want to let you know of an interesting way a company is using old plastic bags. Patagonia is a an eco-friendly outdoor apparel company that I like to use when I'm buying my outdoor gear. They make fleeces and jackets out of recycled plastic bags! I love them-they're a lot softer than you'd think. Then when the fleece is to the point where you can't wear it anymore (takes years and years to get to that point), send it to the company and they recycle it into a new fleece or jacket!

Just thought you'd like to know a way that plastic bags are being re-used. Oh yeah, and they also make things out of recycled plastic bottles!

That's so neat!

**miss_thrifty** · 02-08-2007, 09:26 AM

No but they have recycle bags 3 for $3.00 and they keep replacing them to stop using the plastic ones at the store. SOBEYS STORE>

**Katybird** · 02-08-2007, 10:24 AM

I hope you get an answer soon and that they can tell you more.

**cheappearls** · 02-13-2007, 10:24 AM

Got my answer!

The store manager called me last night and was very helpful. He didn't know the name off the top of his head and I didn't want him to bother with looking it up but it's a company out of Arkansas. Last week that Walmart has stepped up with recycling by now sending shredded paper, plastic bottles and other recyclable items. I was really pleased with the answer I got.

**wanderlusting** · 02-13-2007, 01:01 PM

I'm glad you got an answer!

**geckoace** · 02-14-2007, 08:14 AM

supposedly walmart (as a whole) is striving for zero waste
http://walmartwatch.com/blog/archive...nd_zero_waste/

i still try to bring my own bags to the store and shop bulk and Tj's whenever possible
also be careful because like target uses corn plastic (at least alot of them do) and a corn plastic bag in amidst petro plastic bag recycling can spoil the batch.