Wegmans Food Markets Joins the How2Recycle Label Program

Wegmans Food Markets is the newest participant, and the first grocer, to join the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s How2Recycle Label program. With the addition of Wegmans, the How2Recycle Label surpassed its 2013 goal of 20 participating companies. Wegmans is the fifth How2Recycle participant and first retailer to receive a sponsorship from the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Flexible Film Recycling Group (FFRG) for use of the Store Drop-off Label on their plastic carryout bags. FFRG sponsorships remain available. “Wegmans has accepted used plastic bags and wrapping material for recycling at our stores since 1994 as a way to help make a difference in the communities we serve. Our adoption of the How2Recycle Label is a step in the right direction as we try to clear up the confusion surrounding recycling,” said Jason Wadsworth, Sustainability Coordinator for Wegmans. Wegmans customers will initially see How2Recycle’s Store Drop-off Label on plastic carryout bags, with plans to expand to various flexible plastic materials throughout their stores, including deli and produce bags. Furthering their goal to educate shoppers about plastic film recycling and to direct them to the correct bin, Wegmans is also displaying a prominent educational poster near store entrances. The FFRG designed a similar poster that retailers and grocers are able to download for free. “We have enjoyed our collaboration with Wegmans. Their well-rounded approach is exactly what we hoped for when we developed the How2Recycle Label program,” said Anne Bedarf, Senior Manager at GreenBlue. “Wegmans’ strategy will provide benefit not only for their own stores and customers, but also for How2Recycle’s larger goals, by acting as a positive example for the grocery and recycled film industries overall.”