Walmart is preparing to jump bag first into the campaign to stop climate change by charging 42 cents per plastic shopping bag thanks to the state of New Jersey.
It isn’t a simple flat 42 cents. The store chain has a list of provisions. It is 42 cents for delivery bags, but only ten cents in store. Then there are the exemptions. No charge for bags used to wrap raw meats, or fruits, veggies, nuts, coffee, and baked goods. No charge for bags used only for newspaper purchases, or laundry, and dry-cleaning bags. Also, bags sold in bulk meant to be used at home for garbage of pet waste bags.
The list seems confusing enough that it will be difficult for employees to observe the rules, one would think.
Naturally, all this lunacy is because of a new law in New Jersey.
“New Jersey retail stores, grocery stores and food service businesses may not provide or sell single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products. Single-use paper carryout bags are allowed to be provided or sold, except by grocery stores equal to or larger than 2500 square feet, which may only provide or sell reusable carryout bags. After November 4, 2021, plastic straws may be provided only upon the request of the customer,” the state says on its Dept. of Environmental Protection fact site.
According to The Sun:
And as of January 18, no New York or Connecticut locations are able to provide single-use bags.
But, Walmart isn’t the only retailer banning single-use bags – Kroger also eliminated them in Virginia back in October.
New York-based grocery store, Wegmans, also banned single-use plastic bags at its Virginia and North Carolina locations.
The store will offer paper bags to shoppers – however, it comes at a cost of five cents apiece.
Meanwhile, Aldi already removed plastic bags from about 500 stores with the goal to phase them out at all 2,200 locations.
One should not be absolved merely because the state is forcing the issue. Walmart has been pursing its own climate change policies for years.
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