COMPTON, Calif. -- Ralphs Grocery Co. here said last week it will commemorate Earth Day April 22 by packing customer orders using paper bags decorated with environmental messages by local schoolchildren.
id it has sent letters to elementary and middle schools from Los Angeles to San Diego asking teachers to borrow paper bags from their local Ralphs, which students can then decorate with environmental information. After the bags are returned to the stores, Ralphs will use them to pack groceries or simply put them on display.
Ralphs plans to use handled paper bags that have been installed chainwide since March. The bags are heavier and sturdier than traditional paper bags, with handles to make them easier to carry, the company pointed out.
In addition, the company said the bags, manufacturred by Willamette Industries, Buena Park, Calif., are naturally biodegradable, with a minimum of 50% post-consumer recycled fiber.
Ralphs said it is encouraging its customers to reuse the handled bags by offering a 5-cent per bag refund to customers who bring them back to the store for subsequent grocery orders.
