Hy-Vee Joins Initiative to Reinvent Single-Use Plastic Bags

Hy-Vee Inc. has joined the Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag as a supporting partner, alongside founding partners CVS Health, Target and Walmart, and is joined by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kroger and Walgreens.

Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy launched the consortium and it’s Beyond the Bag Initiative earlier this year, with the aim of identifying, testing and implementing viable design solutions and models that more sustainably serve the purpose of the current retail bag.

“The opportunity to join the Beyond the Bag Initiative and address the shared challenges presented by single-use plastics with some of the largest and most influential retailers in our country is crucial as we remain committed to reducing our environmental impact,” said Jay Marshall, vice chairman and president of Hy-Vee’s supply chain and subsidiaries, in a release. “Through this collaboration, we can truly move the needle on a global waste issue and bring to life some much-needed solutions. We look forward to contributing our knowledge and insights and collectively collaborating with other consortium partners to pave the way for a more sustainable future.”

West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee is an employee-owned supermarket chain with more than 275 retail stores across eight Midwestern states.

The Kroger Co. is the grocery sector lead partner of the consortium, directing priorities and activities for the initiative within the specific sector. “Our commitment to phase out single-use plastic bags across our enterprise is a critical part of our Zero Hunger Zero Waste social impact plan,” said Lisa Zwack, Kroger’s head of sustainability. “We’re thrilled to welcome Hy-Vee to the consortium, and we encourage other retailers to join our search for innovative, sustainable solutions to the traditional single-use plastic bag.”

In August, the consortium launched a global innovation challenge to source solutions to replace the current plastic bag, including tech-enabled reuse models, new materials and software and hardware innovations. The challenge closed last week with more than 450 submissions. Consortium partners, including retailers and environmental advisory partners, alongside third-party experts, will carefully review and select the shortlist and winners. Winning concepts are eligible to receive a portion of $1 million in funding, participate in a Circular Accelerator to receive further assistance in scaling, and access testing and potential piloting opportunities.