Plastic bags all throughout grocery stores are really something we would rather not see any more. In our opinion, reusable bags – canvas, reclaimed plastic, or another kind of durable material – fit in much better. Fortunately, more and more stores, small businesses and big chains alike, are becoming aware of the problem of plastic bags (and their future once we are done with them) and taking action. This time, the supermarket chain Publix is now phasing plastic bags out of their stores in Coral Gables, Florida.

To mark the occasion, the store is giving away branded reusable bags for free. At the checkout, the customers will no longer be able to get a plastic bag for their groceries, but they can choose between fabric reusable bags and paper ones. Once the plastic bag inventory at the stores is all used up, that pervasive item will be gone from the locations for good.


Publix’s decision to get rid of plastic bags is a great example of a business being influenced in a major and significant way by activism. Big companies are being progressively more aware of environmental issues and many of them are slowly but steadily making changes that have to be done in the light of our present environmental problems. Hopefully, Publix’s decision will influence other chains to introduce similar bans and act for the benefit of us all!

Plastic bags make up an enormous percent of the overall plastic waste polluting the environment. Every year, we produce 300 million tons of plastic and throw around 8.8 million tons of it into the oceans. Tragically, 700 species of marine animals are currently on the verge of extinction due to plastic threat in the waters.

With this in mind, we certainly don’t have to wait for our local stores to ban plastic bags, we can all start making a difference – now!

To learn how to limit your own plastic footprint, check out One Green Planet’s #CrushPlastic campaign!


Let’s #CrushPlastic! Click the graphic below for more information.



Image source: Michael DeFilippi/Facebook

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