Reusable Bags Are Back

The Palisadian-Post has teamed up with locally founded nonprofit environmental organization to provide readers with a weekly “green tip.”

Did you know that the COVID-related ban on reusable bags at grocery stores is now a thing of the past? The temporary COVID-19 halt was originally imposed by our governor in the absence of data confirming all known sources of transmission. But we now know that reusable bags, like other soft surfaces, do not present a significant risk of transmission.

Single-use plastic bags are not recyclable. They are a fossil fuel product that cause untold damage to all living beings. They escape into our oceans and natural areas, or they end up in our landfills, where they inevitably break down. And as all other plastics do when they break down, plastic bags turn into microplastics that blow in the wind, mix in the sand, leach into our natural environment, and end up in our smoothies and on our dinner plates. A recent peer-reviewed study estimated that humans are inhaling and ingesting more than 74,000 microplastic particles a year.

We interviewed store managers in mid-December to bring you their latest bag policies.

Erewhon is accepting reusable shopping and produce bags, and customers pack their own items. If customers do not bring bags, the store offers paper only. (Reusable bags are ideal, but we support paper over plastic if no other options are available.)

Gelson’s is accepting reusable shopping and produce bags, and cashiers will bag for you.

Ralphs and Vons are accepting reusable shopping and produce bags, and customers pack their own items.

And when you find yourself without reusables and not wanting to purchase one at the checkout, consider the other option: Simply load what you can into your cart and over to your car.