The Co-op Food Stores of New Hampshire and Vermont

Question of the Week for October 3: Should the Co-op Charge Customers for Each Bag They Use, Rather Than Giving Money Back for Each Bag They Do Not Use?

A Sampling of Member Answers

• I think it is a fine idea. Hopefully customers will consistently remember to bring reusable bags. Great savings for Co-op and for the environment as well.

• Definitely NOT! Since the Co-op has higher prices than most grocery stores, and no other grocery store charges customers for bags, I believe that you would lose a LOT of business by charging people for a bag. No matter how much bags cost, the items that people purchase that fit into those bags represent a large profit than the loss the Co-op experiences by supplying bags. A store having bags for their customers is a cost of business, just as credit card fees are, the electric bill, the heating bill, etc. If you want customers who are not necessarily health or earth friendly conscious, but just regular people, then do NOT charge for bags.

• I think charging for bags is OK, but I am concerned for some elderly folks who use the WRJ store.

• Yes and no. One bag should be free. Anything beyond that, there should be a charge. It’s nice to get the plastic bags for bathroom trash or other re-uses. I always forget my reusable bags. Knowing I had to PAY for bags would push me to remember to bring my bags.

• I think that non-members should be charged. We need to see more member benefits.

• Paying for a bag reminds me of Europe. That’s pretty standard practice there. I do think most Co-op members and regular shoppers recycle their bags. I don’t need to have a 5 cent refund for a bag I’m recycling. Just drop the issue, no refund, no charge!

• No, while I support the idea I think it would discourage lower income members from joining and shopping at the Co-op.

• Well, it would certainly make me remember my bags, which are usually sitting right in my car! I think it’s a great idea. More savings and better for the environment.

• Yes, emphatically! Every store should charge for bags, including not only the price the Co-op pays to buy them but the actual cost in resources lost, cost to environment, etc.

• I would think it would reduce repeat business. I rarely remember my re-usable bags, and am not all that “green”. It is a mistake to presume that you customers are all on the green band wagon, so many people aren’t. I shop at the Co-op because I like the selection and price of hard to find international foods, and ease of buying local. If I were charged for bags that are free at other stores, being a frugal VT’er I would switch to shopping at other stores.

No. I think the green bag initiative was great and many folks continue to use their bags. I think it’s time to stop reimbursing 5 cents a bag. We will use our own bags anyway, but to charge us for a bag when we forget is not fair. i would resent it!