Paper or plastic? Chances are, you have probably heard this phrase in your life but hopefully people that are growing up in today’s world won’t have to hear that much longer.
Many cities such as Chicago put a tax on the use of plastic bags to eliminate the use of them but now we finally have a big chain taking a stand against using plastic bags.
Kroger just announced that they will be banning the use of single-use plastic bags in all its stores by 2025. Their CEO, Rodney McMullen said in a press release:
“As part of our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste commitment, we are phasing out use-once, throw-it-away plastic bags and transitioning to reusable bags in our stores by 2025. It’s a bold move that will better protect our planet for future generations.”
The Kroger owned retail store, QFC, will be the first ones to begin this process and will complete it by 2019.
Kroger’s executive vice president and COO, Mike Donnelly, also had this to say:
“We listen very closely to our customers and our communities, and we agree with their growing concerns. That’s why, starting today at QFC, we will begin the transition to more sustainable options. This decision aligns with our Restock Kroger commitment to live our purpose through social impact.”
Many people were excited about this step towards a cleaner environment:
This is great news!
I commercial fish for a living.
I pick up floating bags and plastics on the daily. 😔The world needs to change.
Thank you @kroger @KrogerNews for making this change! pic.twitter.com/3COynUKCDY— Happy_Alaskan (@ShesFromAlaska) August 23, 2018
Others were surprised that it really would really take seven years for this to take place:
No question. The situation is abysmal, and the consequences are devastating.
A 7-year timeframe for eliminating plastic bags suggests to me #Kroger is not on board and is primarily interested in thwarting regulation. Hopefully, it's a mistaken assessment.
— Steven Smith (@UFOGnostic) August 23, 2018
Why on earth does it take @Kroger SEVEN YEARS to get rid of plastic bags? #JustDoIt https://t.co/MoGi1oNSuv via @usatoday
— Charles Desmarais (@Artguy1) August 23, 2018
Others didn’t see the bigger picture and wanted the plastic bags to grab their dogs poop. What do you think?
In other great elimination of plastic news, Starbucks released similar news recently…
You might have gotten an iced coffee recently from a Starbucks and been confused why they gave you a sippy cup to drink it out of. Well this is a part of a nation wide push for the company to be done with plastic straws.
Plastic straws are becoming a huge problem in the world, because they often end up in the ocean and polluting the water. If the world continues on it’s plastic path, scientists say that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. That’s a crazy stat.
So you’re probably wondering how your basic self will be able to drink your frappuccinos? Starbucks is going to be serving those with eco-friendly straws.
The press release from Starbucks reads:
“Starbucks has designed, developed and manufactured a strawless lid, which will become the standard for all iced coffee, tea and espresso beverages. The lid is currently available in more than 8,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada for select beverages including Starbucks Draft Nitro and Cold Foam. The lid is also being piloted for Nitro beverages in additional markets including China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In addition, Starbucks will begin offering straws made from alternative materials – including paper or compostable plastic – for Frappuccino® blended beverages, and available by request for customers who prefer or need a straw.”
Kevin Johnson who is the CEO and President of Starbucks also said:
“For our partners and customers, this is a significant milestone to achieve our global aspiration of sustainable coffee, served to our customers in more sustainable ways.”
Starbucks is continuing to innovate with their cups and straws so we shall see if they really come through with this huge goal.
Erin Simon, who is the director of sustainability research & development and material science at the World Wildlife Fund also said in the press release:
“Plastic straws that end up in our oceans have a devastating effect on species. As we partner with Starbucks in waste reduction initiatives such as Next Gen Consortium Cup Challenge and WWF’s Cascading Materials Vision, we hope others will follow in their footsteps.”
Here’s what people are thinking on Twitter!
The next time I'm idling my car for 20 minutes at a drive thru for a strip mall Starbucks built atop a reclaimed wetland, I will feel a unique sense of satisfaction that they are protecting the earth from straws. pic.twitter.com/jvvIbKfs76
— Tristin Hopper (@TristinHopper) July 9, 2018
PSA: So everyone seems super hype about Starbucks phasing out straws but PLEASE I BEG YOU – just buy a reusable cup and you’ll never have to throw a plastic cup/straw in the trash again. Save the earth, love your mother, I’m out ✌🏼🌏💚
— Jennie Lien (@Jen_R_lien) July 9, 2018
Plastic straws will soon be phased out of all Starbucks stores, reducing the total number used each year by 1 billion pic.twitter.com/d25vAqbjea
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) July 10, 2018
So what are you going to order at your next Starbucks run?! Sound off in the comments!
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