LIHU‘E — In an effort to reduce paper- and plastic-bag usage and in preparation for the plastic-bag ban that will begin in January, Foodland is promoting a Take the Bag Challenge, an incentive program designed to encourage shoppers to use
LIHU‘E — In an effort to reduce paper- and plastic-bag usage and in preparation for the plastic-bag ban that will begin in January, Foodland is promoting a Take the Bag Challenge, an incentive program designed to encourage shoppers to use reusable grocery bags.
“We’ve done the research and have found that paper bags aren’t good for the environment either,” said Sheryl Toda, Foodland director of corporate communications, in a press release. “Studies have shown paper bags use 84 times as much energy to recycle compared to plastic bags.”
Now through Nov. 30, customers at Foodland checkout stands (including Waipouli Town Center and Princeville Center) will be asked to commit to using reusable bags every time they shop by signing a commitment card on which they will receive a stamp to track their use of reusable bags.
After eight visits (eight stamps), customers can turn in their stamp cards to receive a free product of their choice: four bottles of Honest Tea and Kettle Chips or a poke bowl.
Customers will receive a five-cent credit for every reusable bag and will be entered into a drawing to win one of four reusable bag shopping sprees of up to $1,000 and a $1,000 matching gift to the charity of their choice.
Jenai S. Wall, Foodland chairman and chief executive officer, said, “While we applaud the steps taken by lawmakers to ban plastic bags, we believe the greatest benefit will come when we all commit to only use reusable bags.
“We believe that by giving our customers added incentives to use only reusable bags over the next six weeks, we can help them to create great habits that will benefit Hawai‘i for years to come.”
Their goal is to reduce plastic and paper bag usage by 25 million bags at all stores in the next year. They will track the plastic bags saved company-wide each day, and will post this number at foodland.com and in stores.
The grocer estimates that the average family in Hawai‘i uses more than 700 plastic bags a year for grocery shopping.
“With more than 400,000 Hawai‘i households, that’s more than 280 million plastic bags a year,” Toda said. “The best way to keep Hawai‘i green is to avoid both paper and plastic bags altogether and use reusable bags instead.”
Special prices and offers on reusable bags will be provided during the Take the Bag Challenge campaign.
