LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets here announced that the number of paper and plastic grocery bags it has saved since mid-2007, when the chain launched initiatives to cut usage at the checkout, has surpassed the 2 billion mark.
Publix has been able to reduce the use of paper and plastic bags by more than 1 million per day by training front service clerks and cashiers to increase the number of items per bag, implementing bag reduction goals for each store, holding communication campaigns to encourage the use of reusable bags, and donating reusable bags to non-profits and partner organizations throughout the Southeast.
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The company has offered in-store recycling of paper and plastic bags since the mid-1970s and introduced its first 99-cent reusable bags in mid-2007. Since the introduction, more than 21 million reusable bags have been sold at Publix locations.
“At Publix, we are fortunate to have customers and associates who are committed to sustaining our environment,” said Maria Brous, Publix director of media and community relations, in a statement. “That’s why we focus on the responsible use of environmental resources, and offering our customers and associates options when choosing paper, plastic or reusable bags.”
Publix has 1,051 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.