To promote sustainability and reduce waste, Walmart shoppers in Oregon will no longer be able to buy plastic bags at the checkout starting on Tuesday, April 18th.
There are a total of 45 Walmart retail units in Oregon comprising 29 Supercenters, 7 Discount Stores, and 9 Neighborhood Markets.
Walmart is set to implement a “bagless” initiative in all of its 45 stores in Oregon starting April 18th.
The retail giant will remove plastic and paper bags from checkout and pickup, promoting the use of reusable bags instead. However, paper bags will still be used for deliveries and single-use produce bags will remain available.
Despite Oregon’s ban on single-use plastic bags since January 2020, stores can still sell paper bags for 5 cents each and reusable plastic bags.
Walmart has said they will provide a variety of reusable bags and containers to customers for purchase, including a 74-cent reusable option. If customers forget their bags, they can still purchase these options at checkout areas.
Why is Walmart charging for bags?
Walmart’s decision to charge for single-use bags is a policy introduced previously. In fact, the company has been providing free reusable bags in other states since 2019 as part of its commitment to reducing waste and dependence on single-use plastics.
Jane Ewing, VP of sustainability at Walmart, said in a statement announcing Oregon’s “bagless” initiative, Ewing said, “We are committed to making the sustainable choice accessible and convenient for Oregonians, so that together we can reduce waste every day.”
This latest decision is another step towards reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable development.
What items are excluded from the bag ban?
In order to clarify, it’s important to note that not all plastic bags will be banned.
The new law still permits bags used for transporting produce, meat, and bulk items. These exceptions are in place to ensure that customers can still safely transport these items without risking contamination.
Additionally, individuals who rely on single-use bags for medical or disability reasons are also exempt from the ban.
What are the green benefits?
Environmental groups have welcomed Walmart’s recent decision to eliminate plastic carryout bags from their stores in Oregon.
The move is seen as a crucial step in reducing plastic waste in the United States, which has become a major environmental concern.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than 3 million tons of plastic and wrappers end up in landfills every year, and plastic bags can take hundreds of years to decompose, causing lasting damage to wildlife and ecosystems.
In addition to Walmart, Target has also committed to reducing plastic waste by eliminating plastic bags from its stores by 2025.
Walmart 1123 N Hayden Meadows Dr, Portland, Oregon 97217
Your thoughts
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Disclaimer: This article is only for educational and informational purposes.
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