Most everyone knows and uses Walmart as their local shopping center. Lately, Walmart has made some pretty big changes. They recently decided to remove plastic bags from the check-out stations at all their stores.
Removing Plastic Bags
Walmart had made a goal recently to be a zero-waste company. That is a massive goal and will take a few years to get in place.
One way to achieve that goal is to stop using plastic bags.
Plastic bags are not good for the environment and it’s time for this change.
According to Walmart, “A shopping bag is at the center of the final interaction of almost every in-store purchase – be that your weekly grocery trip, a quick milk run or back-to-school shopping. While the convenience of the plastic retail bag cannot be disputed, the average working life of one of these bags is only 12 minutes. It’s estimated that 100 billion plastic bags are being used annually in the U.S. alone, and less than 10 percent of them are recycled.”
This goal to stop using plastic bags will take around three years to complete.
Beyond the Bag
To achieve their goal, Walmart has teamed up with “Beyond the Bag” a company that finds ways to eliminate plastic bags that are better for the world.
CVS Health, Walmart, and Target are all a part of this mission.
Beyond the Bag shares their plan of “identifying, testing and implementing viable design solutions and models that more sustainably serve the purpose of the current retail bag.”
How You Can Help
You can help with this initiative too!
Beyond the Bag is wanting to hear your ideas on how to eliminate plastic bags. If you have a creative idea for a new eco-friendly bag, be sure to submit your thoughts!
You can go to Beyond the Bag Challenge to submit your ideas.
Submissions are due by September 10th as they will start getting to work after that.
Plastic bags are just one part of Walmart’s ultimate goal to be zero waste. Are you excited or dreading this new change?
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111 comments on “Walmart is Removing Plastic Bags From All Their Stores”
First they make us check ourselves out, then they charge us for the bags, then they take the bags away. Sick and tired of the greed. Used to be the customer was right and were appreciated but not any more.
Oh I will gladly bring my own shopping bags WHEN Walmart rings up my purchase!! So tired of not having cashiers !!! Â Or give me a price break like 10% off for being my own associate!!
Canvas bags
Grocery bags are nearly always re-used, I personally use them for my trash, used litter, and when selling things at craft shows and online for porch pick ups, packing items for re-sell, and more. I always run out and have to buy more online. Now I will have to spend even more money buying bags, or shop where they DO use plastic bags. If they want to cut back on plastics, get rid of bottled water, more rivers and streams and oceans are clogged up by them than any amount of grocery bags, or any other plastic.
We here in Germany are using more and more bags made of fabric tarpaulin. The companies make their advertising on it, have a flat bottom and are foldable. This material is very hard-wearing and because the bag, which is available in three different sizes, costs a small amount, people take better care of it. They are reusable and can be washed out with a rag and even disinfected with spray disinfectant.
Another variation are fabric bags. However, they have the disadvantage that they do not stand due to their shape and strength and they cannot be filled as well. However, they are washable in the washing machine. It is also easier to fold them up to save space and take them with you.
Every type of material and texture has its advantages and disadvantages. A combination of both atres wouldn’t be bad.
I prefer the paper bags myself sure maybe you can only carry two at a time but one bag equals about four of those stupid little plastic bags.
If Wal-mart & other stores would teach cashiers / baggers the right way to pack a bag..there would be less waste…I went last week & the cashier was putting 1-2 items per bag, or putting 3-4 but then doubling the bags up!!
I think it’s a great idea. BYOB.
NO!..Now they will push sales of their bags. Bags should be offered
the should also do away with everything that is plastic, like for Milk , Juice and go back to glass like we did years ago
Paper Bags were always better you can Burn them without any harm ,use them to cover Books & a lot of other thing s with them
So will they provide paper bags?
paper bags
If you gave cloth bags for a year free. Your investment well help the environment, the people, and the farmers. Â They will be reused, washed and a good way to advertise for all the different companies logos on the sides. Â Thank you
Perhaps make the bags out of Hemp instead, they’d be much stronger and are biodegradable.
What about paper grocery bags?  Are they forbidden, too?  I am just trying to imagine how terribly many canvas bags it would take to hold all our biweekly groceries.  And meat juice and other oozes — ugh! As if there isn’t enough laundry.  Now I will use more energy doing more laundry . . . also not good for the environment.  I think I am going to start hoarding my own plastic bags for future use.
No bags at Sam’s Club why can’t the same thing work at Walmart?
I’d be tickled if they opened more registers
I think they need to bring back paper bags with handles. Reinforce the handle, so they don’t break loose, or rip. Get rid of plastic. Some idiot years ago said paper is bad for the environment, so they come upwith plastic. They were sooooooo wrong. Paper is stronger. Plastic has broke open and the entire items hit my foot and hurt like hell.
go back to paper bag they can be burned and they will decade in time