Texas Supermarket Chain Bans Plastic Bags

Target stores and all H-E-B locations in South Texas are now selling reusable bags to nudge customers' consciences by offering an eco-friendly way to reduce the use of disposable plastic bags.

H-E-B has a machine-washable canvas bag, which it sells for $3.97 plus tax, and a green-colored polypropylene sack for sale for 99 cents each.

The green-colored reusable bags are 12 inches by 12 inches; the unbleached canvas bag is about 20 inches by 18 inches. Both hold the equivalent of three ordinary plastic bags, which are 17 inches wide by 12 inches deep.

Shoppers can purchase the reusable bags at any H-E-B store, said Carlos Contreras, spokesman for the supermarket's border region.

The polypropylene bags, which typically can last for two years of weekly use, are made from the same type of recycled plastic that is used in yogurt containers, syrup bottles, drinking straws and medicine bottles, an H-E-B news release said.

"The bottom of each bag contains a support mechanism made out of recycled plastic to make carrying and securing your groceries easier," Contreras said.

"It's been very well accepted by the community and we have had people buying them," Contreras said.

Target is offering its shoppers plastic-coated bags with nylon handles for $5.99 plus tax each. These sacks are 20 inches wide and 14 inches deep. The bags are decorated with the store's red bullseye trademark.

Smaller red tote-style bags with zippers costs 99 cents plus tax each.

The Target store on Dixieland Road set up a display for the bags three days ago, Crystal Acevedo, a store manager, said.

Acevedo said the Harlingen store will likely begin selling other sizes of the reusable bags that are already available at the store's other locations.

Target developed a reusable shopping bag, launching them in June 2007 in its California stores, the chain's Web site said.

"We've just set it up so we'll see how the community responds to them," Acevedo said. "We haven't received comments on them yet, but the bags are cute, and I would definitely use them."

But one Target shopper, who declined to give his name, said he didn't think he would purchase the reusable bags.

"I would forget them at home," he said.

The man said that when he lived in Wisconsin, reusable canvas bags were distributed at grocery stores, but weren't widely used.
"Only the elderly were using them, really," he said.

But J.T. and Brisa Cavazos of Harlingen said they hope Rio Grande Valley shoppers will be inspired to adopt the reusable bags.

"It's a great idea, and hopefully people will use them," Brisa Cavazos said. "I'd try it."

Julie Morrisey, 41, of Harlingen, said she would definitely be interested in purchasing the bags.

Morrisey said she was driving with her friend in McAllen when they noticed many plastic shopping sacks scattered along Expressway 83.

"They were all over and it all adds up and that contributes to pollution," Morrisey said. "I would pay $6 for the bag."

Morrisey said she hopes the region picks up on the eco-friendly habit, and becomes motivated to recycle more items. These practices were common and accessible when she lived in San Antonio, she said.

H-E-B plans to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 by giving away statewide 150,000 of the reusable green shopping bags and encourage customers to use plastic recycling bins at its stores, a news release said.

As part of the reusable shopping bag giveaway H-E-B will collect more than 750,000 plastic bags for recycling in one day, the release said.

Customers may take five or more of the ordinary plastic shopping bags to any H-E-B store from 3-7 p.m. on April 22. The sacks will be recycled and customers will receive a coupon for a free reusable shopping bag.

The ordinary shopping bags that are brought to the store for recycling can be from any retailer, but there is a limit of one free reusable bag per customer, Contreras said.

For shoppers who can't or don't want to wait, the green reusable bags are available for sale now. Both the green and canvas reusable bags will be available indefinitely at H-E-B stores.

Five cents from the sale of each reusable bag will be donated to a grant program that H-E-B is establishing through Keep Texas Beautiful.

"We want to make a bold statement that will encourage people to switch to reusable bags," Contreras said. "By giving away 150,000 reusable bags for free, we can invite people to give the bags a try and really begin to change habits across Texas."