Wegmans, A&P Promote Reusable Bags

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Wegmans Food Markets here and A&P are among the retailers promoting new, environmentally friendly shopping bags for 99 cents. Wegmans just introduced a reusable bag with a large, flat bottom. Made of a water-repellent, non-woven polypropylene blend, it can hold up to 25 pounds. “It conveniently folds up for easy storage, and is machine-washable,” consumer affairs Senior Vice President Mary Ellen Burris wrote in a consumer column. While the new bag is admittedly plastic, Burris said “the reusability takes the curse off the charge by some that plastic things use up a non-renewable resource.” The bags are available at most checkouts and in front of the registers on special racks. Meanwhile, A&P, Montvale, N.J., is promoting its new bags on its retailer websites. “Buy an environmentally friendly, recycled, reusable grocery bag for 99 cents,” A&P websites read. The bags are printed with attractive images of butterflies and flowers. A portion of the sales is being donated to the Elizabeth Haub Foundation, which works to protect the environment.