Target, CVS launch reusable bag incentive programs
Filed under: Shopping
Target and CVS are both rolling out programs designed to get shoppers to trim their reliance on plastic grocery bags. Anti-bag crusades are popular with eco-friendly companies; Whole Foods, for instance, scrapped disposable plastic bags back in 2008. According to this article in USA Today, the nation's fifth-largest retailer along with the country's largest prescription provider are each launching plastic bag-reduction incentives in the coming weeks. Both brands have test-marketed the new campaigns and are introducing them in all of their stores (that's 1,700 Target locations and 7,000 CVS sites, if you're counting).
The Target plan offers customers five cents off their bill for every reusable bag they use in lieu of a plastic bag. A Target spokesperson says any reusable bag is acceptable, but you're not allowed to bring in plastic bags from your last trip to the store. (Even if you are reusing them, they're not reusable bags.) The spokesperson adds that although the program officially launches November 1, which is when signs announcing the incentive will appear in stores, customers "could and should be able to" bring in their own reusable bags and request the discount now. The five-cent discount is available to all shoppers.
Unlike Target's plan, the CVS program is only available to shoppers who are -- or become -- members of the pharmacy's loyalty program, ExtraCare, and it requires an upfront investment in the form of a 99-cent "GreenBagTag."
Loyalty program members can have the tag swiped every time they come to a CVS and forgo a plastic bag -- either by bringing a reusable bag with them or carrying their purchases out sans bag. After every four "green" swipes, the customer will get a coupon printed on the bottom of their receipt for a dollar off a future shopping trip.
A spokesperson for one of CVS's public-relations agencies says that a portion of the proceeds from the GreenBagTag sales will be donated to environmental causes, although the details on the amount of the donation per tag and the recipients haven't been finalized.
Readers, will you use one of these new programs? Both? Which format do you think does a better job of rewarding you for being eco-friendly?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-20-2009 @ 8:41PM
HP said...
I think it's great! And I hope more stores get on board with offering incentives for using reusable bags. It's a win for consumers and a win for the environment!
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10-20-2009 @ 8:56PM
Doreen said...
would love to see all stores offer free reusable bag or bags for a week.
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10-21-2009 @ 7:25AM
Mom said...
I agree with Doreen, I have been asking our area stores to do this for a while now, or maybe after spending __ amount, get a free bag. Our Kroger store has been doing the 5 cent incentive per bag for quite some time now. It really shows they appreciate your effort.
10-20-2009 @ 9:13PM
j said...
what will I pick up the doggie do with if I don't get plastic bags. also big target bags are great for lining the kitchen trash can with. Besides pay a dollar so you don't give me a bag so that I have to carry around and not lose a tag to get credit with. Wake up CVS tie it to my CVS rewards card. This is all too much how about letting me just have a paper bag instead.
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10-21-2009 @ 9:04AM
Nycole said...
The Target that I frequet already started this last week, and as an avid reusable bag person I think it's great. I do agree a little with J, and therefore every once in a whole I do not bring my reuable bags in because I need the plastic bags for bathroom trashcan liners.
Mom's got a great Idea that I've been saying for a while, spendsay $50 and get a free bag (with the store logo-promo promo...).
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10-22-2009 @ 12:40AM
Dana said...
I used plastic shopping bags to line all my garbage containers until I realized that, back in the "old days" we just washed out the trash cans after dumping the garbage. So I don't line any garbage cans anymore, other than the bathroom one (and I use a large bag from something like the six-roll toilet paper ones, which fit nicely in the small can).
10-21-2009 @ 9:40AM
ed said...
this plastic bag ploy is just to make money, what about all the other products in plastic containers
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10-21-2009 @ 11:01AM
GEO said...
H.E.B. in Texas has been doing this for a really long time now... And it has been quite successful.
CVS and Target is just making gimmicks out of the practice. I constantly take my H.E.B. bags to every store I go to. It is amazing how many comments I get. I have been taking them to Target as well, and this is the first I have heard about the "nickel". And then you have to "ask for the nicket"... Get real Target... either do it, or don't do it... Don't make a game out of it!
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10-21-2009 @ 11:18AM
Victo said...
A few years ago we were "forced" to give up paper bags. Supposedly to help the environment. Now, plastic is bad. Are these people ever satisfied? I am sick of this green movement. Do you know how many folks these decisions put out of work? But, cheer up. Soon, the environmentalists will have what they want. No more people on the earth. "But wait"...they won't be here either? All actions have a re-action. Start thinking, folks!
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10-21-2009 @ 11:18AM
Sharon said...
I recycle the plastic bags I get from CVS and other stores in many different ways and would miss them. I'd just have to go out and "buy" plastic bags to replace them????
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10-21-2009 @ 11:33AM
Lois said...
I thought I'd miss them too, but I've found I can do without them just fine. Instead of the plastic bags from the grocery store that I used to pick up after my dogs, for instance, I just use the bags that bread, etc., come in. There's always something you can use that won't involved buying more plastic bags, once you start looking and being a little creative.
10-21-2009 @ 12:52PM
Trish said...
It's about time! Yes, I will use the program. This is good news.
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10-21-2009 @ 11:39AM
Jenn said...
This is Great!!! My Groecry store give a 5 cent credit for each reuseable bag you bring. Every little bit helps, and you know the store is saving money buy not having to buy the bags.
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10-21-2009 @ 11:38AM
Angelamia62 said...
THIS COUNTRY IS TURNING INTO SUCH A POLITICALLY CORRECT NATION OF WUSSIES WHERE HARD DECISIONS CANNOT BE MADE!!! HEY FOLKS AT THE TOP....STOP PROVIDING PLASTIC BAGS....PERIOD!! STYROFOAM, PLASTIC MEAT CONTAINERS....BLEACHING OUR BOXES SO THEY'RE "PRETTIER", POISONING AND WAXING OUR FRUIT...JUST STOP DOING IT!!! WE WILL ADAPT WHEN WE HAVE NO CHOICE AND WE WON'T MISS ANY OF IT. UNFORTUNATELY MANY MORONS NEED A LAW TO GO IN EFFFECT BEFORE THEY DO WHAT IS RIGHT! PS-DON'T WEAR A SEATBELT OR HELMET....DIE!! Bleeding heart garbage....
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10-21-2009 @ 12:48PM
BJ said...
Never could understand going from paper to plastic. Paper is a renewable source and biodegradable whereas plastic is a by product of oil and lasts forever in landfills--what genius thought this one up??? For the record, I like the idea and also use the canvas bags. Just wish the bag boys wouldn't fill them so full and heavy.
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10-21-2009 @ 3:15PM
sarah said...
I have been using re-useable bags for a few years and on occassion have the plastic bags that I later recycle in the grocery store. They usually have large bins in the front of the store for recycling plastic bags. There are many reasons that the re-useable bags are valuable. The most important being the environment and the many animals that get trapped in plastic bags. The $.05 back that many stores offer. And for me living on the second floor of an apartment complex, I think you can get a lot more in the re-useable bags which means less trips up the steps.
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10-21-2009 @ 12:40PM
Sue said...
I shop at Kroger and they have been doing this for over a year. Each time I bring my own bag they give me a 5 cent credit for each. It is nice because then I don't get broken bags from cheap plastic.
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10-21-2009 @ 1:09PM
Jackie said...
I will use the CVS one just because I goto CVS about 3 times a month anyway and never use a bag (perscriptions little things etc) however they did a study on reusable bags and they are MAJOR breeding grounds for bacteria. If you use them WASH them often with soap!
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10-21-2009 @ 1:16PM
EB said...
Oh, wow! That's great news, indeed! Oh, I'm so excited! Wait! I use those plastic bags to bag my recycled trash at home! So, while I am trying to recycle garbage, I am also recycling the plastic grocery bags at the same time. It's a win/win. Our waste management company won't pick it up if it's not bagged. Hmmmm....sounds like a good idea, but...DUH!
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10-21-2009 @ 2:03PM
tiredofobama said...
With all the waste and bullsh** going on in the world, i'm glad these assh**s get a little satisfaction of doing something as meaningless and stupid as this. It sounds like an Obama staffer's idea.
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