Shoppers react to Wegmans phasing out plastic bags

CENTRE CO., Pa. (WJAC) — Starting Thursday, Sept. 22, all Wegmans stores across Pennsylvania will get rid of plastic bags. This comes as Giant Eagle recently announced a similar plan in some of it stores around Erie and in Ohio.

6 News spoke with Wegmans and consumers about this.

The question of "paper or plastic" is one that's been cemented in American grocery culture for a long time. But come Sept. 22, that question need not apply at Wegmans' 18 locations across the Commonwealth.

While plastic may last a long time, but a Wegmans spokeswoman told 6 News on Friday that plastic bags aren't sustainable in the long-term.

"We really see this as being...a great way to do what's right for the environment — by eliminating plastic and really encouraging all customers to use reusable bags, the best option for the environment," said Wegmans Public Relations Manager Tracy Van Auker.

Wegmans has pledged to reduce its in-store plastic packaging and single-use plastics — by 10 million pounds, by 2024. The supermarket chain estimates this will prevent about 345 million single-use plastic bags from entering circulation throughout a given year.

And regarding that "paper or plastic" question, paper will still be an option.

"Paper bags will continue to be available for a 5-cent charge per bag," Van Auker noted. "And it's really just...an approach that we've taken in other markets where we've eliminated bags and really seeing that, that does help encourage the use of reusable bags."

The proceeds from paper bags will go to the store's local United Way chapter, with the company reporting that more than $1.7 million it collected and donated went toward increasing access to "wholesome food" and addressing vital needs in communities.

Pennsylvania will be the last state where they phase out single-use plastic bags, Van Auker said.

"The shift to reusable bags prior to eliminating bags in New York, it was really...80% of customers would use plastic bags, with 20% choosing reusable," she explained. "And so, we've really...flipped that around, where we [now] have the majority of customers choosing reusable."

And what's the verdict from some customers at the Wegmans on 345 Colonnade Boulevard in State College?

"I think it's awesome. I think it's great," Wegmans shopper Sharyn Wolfson told 6 News on Friday. "[I] have no problem with it."

"It's the right thing to do," her husband chimed in.

Though, they acknowledged it won't be easy.

"I think it's a great idea. I think it's great for the environment," another shopper, Catherine Delaney, told us. "It's going to be a tough transition, a lot of upset people, but it's probably best."

But sometimes it's easier said than done.

"Yeah, I know," Delaney replied when 6 News pointed out her shopping cart was filled with plastic bags. "I'm here from out of town and I don't have my reusable bags with me."

"Yeah, I know that's terrible," she continued, trying to contain laughter. "But I vote for reusable!"

But Wegmans told us they won't stop at the bags.

"There's a couple of different areas that we're really focused on, or we think we can make the largest impact," Van Auker mentioned. "And that includes sourcing from near our stores, eliminating waste, focusing on sustainable packaging, and reducing our carbon footprint."

There's that famous line from the film 'The Graduate' (1967) which goes: "There's a great future in plastics."

Well, Wegmans would certainly beg to differ.

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