Reducing Disposable Bags

Under the agreement, MFA members will use a variety of methods to reduce the demand for disposable bags, such as offering reusable bags, providing customer incentives for reusing bags, improving customer access to in-store plastic bag recycling, and training staff to reduce wasteful distribution of bags. Nearly all Massachusetts supermarkets now offer recycling programs that collect plastic shopping bags, shrink wrap, and other plastic wrapping materials. Most of the plastic is recycled into consumer products, such as plastic decking and lawn furniture.

Through its agreement with the state, MFA will provide technical assistance materials and services to expand recycling efforts and help supermarkets get started. Previous voluntary initiatives between MassDEP and the trade group have resulted in innovative and nationally-recognized methods for helping supermarkets recycle cardboard and shrink wrap and compost food wastes.