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Big Y Foods to phase out plastic bags

Regional chain readies transition to reusable shopping bags

Russell Redman

January 10, 2019

2 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

New England grocer Big Y Foods Inc. plans to eliminate single-use plastic bags at checkout chainwide next year.

Springfield, Mass.-based Big Y said yesterday it decided to completely phase out the plastic bags after evaluating the experience of six of its stores that were complying with community bans in place since 2014.

Customers in those communities — Adams, Amherst, Great Barrington, Lee, Northampton and South Hadley, Mass. — expressed support for the ban as well as environmentally responsible business practices and the use of reusable bags instead of plastic and paper bags, according to the retailer.

Plans call for Big Y to cease using the plastic bags by 2020 at its 83 stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut, which include 71 Big Y supermarkets; 10 Big Y Express convenience and fuel locations; one Fresh Acres Market specialty supermarket; and one Table & Vine wine, beer, spirits and specialty foods store.

“Single-use plastic bags can no longer be viewed as a long-term solution for our stores,” Richard Bossie, vice president of store operations at Big Y, said in a statement. “Our customers and the communities we serve have made it quite clear that they prefer more environmentally friendly alternatives. We look forward to implementing this new program in all of our retail locations.”

Related:Kroger to eliminate plastic bags by 2025

Big Y said it aims to fully shift to reusable bags in 2020. To that end, the retailer will offer special discounts and promotions on its reusable bags during 2019. Customers can extend the use of reusable bags by washing them regularly with soap and water or wiping them with a disinfectant wipe, the company noted.

Currently, Big Y collects single-use plastic bags from customers at all stores and sends them to recycling plants for use in decking. The chain said it uses 100 million plastic bags and 3.5 million paper bags at their checkouts annually.

More than 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States each year, Big Y reported, citing data from the Environment Protection Agency. If not properly discarded, that plastic can end up in waterways and forests and endanger fish, marine animals, birds and other wildlife, the company said.

Big Y added that its other sustainability efforts include paper and cardboard recycling programs and composting; regular donations of meat, produce, bakery and other items to area food banks; and the use of solar arrays, LED lighting and electric car charging stations to promote energy conservation.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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