It seems that the US is lagging behind most countries in the world when it comes to reducing or eliminating the unnecessary use of single use plastic bags.
China, Ireland, India, Bangladesh, Denmark, Canada, Belgium have all moved forward in this direction. For more detailed information see “Trends from Around the World” at Reusable Bags.
Which brings me to one of my favorite stores. Target, or as “those in the know” like to say …Tar JAY is a terrfic trendy consumer friendly store. It’s hard not to like the retailer’s red & white logo and that cool dog mascot. But sadly they mimic chains acoss the country that contributre mightly to plastic pollution on a daily basis.
Now enter Target Australia. Guess what … they are eliminating single usage plastic bags!
One retailer is setting its own nationwide ban. Target Australia, not affiliated with Target Corporation US, said it will no longer offer single use plastic bags at its 283 stores in Australia as of June 1 this year. The stores will only offer reusable bags, for $1, or compostable bags, for 10 cents. Profits will go a children’s charity, the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.
Target estimates it gives out 100 million bags a year, and South Australia expects its ban will eliminate 400 million bags a year. All of Australia uses about 4 billion plastic bags annually.
Now that you have read this, consider the following.
This announcement was made in May 2008! So what’s our excuse for not following suit in the US? What, indeed!
Memo to the “suits” in Minneapolis, if Target Australia can accomplish this … what’s our excuse? As an activist, consumer, and business woman who believes that there are realistic solutions to these environmental challenges … you need to call me. Green retailing is the future. Will you let your competitiors beat you to the punch?
Like I said, ” Call me!”
Linda:
Today’s consumer has incredible power … when enough of us work together we CAN change things.
I hope to awaken this sleeping giant! Letters are indeed a start. Please read my page on working with business.
Corporations will change when it is clear it is in their best interests. Translated that means they’ll change if they think it will affect their bottom line profits!
When I read your blog title I was so excited, but it was too good to be true. This Target is Australian. I was thinking that this is the way to go – get the big stores to ban plastic bags and cities like Seattle will not have to fight the chemical industry in order to tax or ban bags. We all definitely need to write strong but constructive and peaceful letters to Target USA to convince them to do the same thing. It would give them brownie points with the eco community that the other box stores are light years from getting.
David:
I’ve done quite a bit of work looking at big box retailers, grocers, manufacturers with clout etc.I can’t find one I could honesty give a passing grade to when it comes to use, re-use, and disposal or re-cycling of plastics.
Every program I’ve evaluated thus far is more PR than anything. There is so much to do. Maybe my next post should be about letters to companies that can and should do a better job.
Fantastic. Those lousy plastic bags are everywhere in the environment and they never go away. The sooner we get rid of them the better. Everybody who reads this article should send a letter (or two) to Target, Wal-Mart, etc..and simply say they will reduce their shopping there until the store gets rid of the plastic bags. Not an angry shouting type letter, but just a firm, civil letter saying you cannot support their store in good conscience until they take more steps to reduce plastic waste. And then follow through. Money talks, believe me.