PCC to Discontinue Plastic Bags

SEATTLE — PCC Natural Markets here will stop using plastic shopping bags on Oct. 1. The retailer will encourage shoppers to reuse their own bags by offering its selection of reusable totes at cost, while continuing to provide paper bags at no charge. “While this decision to eliminate plastic shopping bags will entail some additional cost, it’s simply the right thing to do,” said chief executive officer Tracy Wolpert. “We have studied the environmental impact of paper versus plastic and believe that paper is the more sustainable choice, while bag reuse is the best choice of all.” PCC is encouraging other retailers, the City of Seattle and Washington state to do the same. Its efforts follow San Francisco’s ban on plastic shopping bags in April. Several other cities, including Boston, Baltimore, Oakland, Calif. and Santa Monica, Calif., are considering similar actions.

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