It was only a matter of time for mainstream store chains to offer incentives to customers for packing away purchases in reusable bags. Target is willing to give back 5 cents for every reusable bag that is used. That could get to be a pretty hefty tab for Target. CVS will charge 99 cents to purchase a tag that will be scanned at the register when the customer doesn’t use a plastic bag. Every 4th scan gets the customer $1 back. Good deal. This could cost CVS too. Target’s incentive program begins November 1st in all its stores nationwide. CVS is rolling out its program over the next 3 weeks in 7000 stores.
I’m not surprised this is happening. It’s good PR. I am a little surprised that Wal-Mart or Walgreens isn’t going first on this. But they won’t be able to ignore the competition for long. According to an article in USA Today, Target believes that “demonstrating their stores are green appeals to the current generation that may give Target a competitive edge.” That’s why I’m surprised Wal-Mart isn’t angling for their own way of nudging people to bring their own bags too.
I did this at my grocery store, brought my own bags that is, and the bagger just looked at me funny. Mind you I took the dozens of handled paper bags I had from everywhere else explaining that I would use them until they wore out. Hey, why not? They had groceries in them one time. When they finally fail I’ll throw them in the recycling bin with my newspapers and magazines.
My main problem with using my reusables is remembering to take them in the store to begin with. I’ve had them on the passenger seat with my purse on top of them and forgot to take them into the store. I opt for paper when I’m checking out but I still get mad because there are perfectly good bags in my car. I’m going to have to make a sign to put on my dash that reads, “Take the Bags!” Pretty soon I’ll do it automatically.
After all, changing the way we do things is just a matter of retraining. As CVS looks at it, “We reward customers for doing good things.” Ah, Pavlov’s dogs, every one of us.
Read about it:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/environment/2009-10-18-target-plastic-bags-green-environment_N.htm.
Tags: Plastic Bags