The wrong kind of bag ban

We recently received this unbelievable email from a customer:

I was writing you to share with you a story. I was recently at a Boscov's department store in Lebanon, PA.  I was told that I could not use my reusable bag, I had to use a plastic bag with their logo on it to prevent shoplifting. The store manager told me that I could recycle the plastic bag. I told her she could keep her bag and her items and I was not going to shop a store that was not trying to protect the environment. I have been using reusable bags for years now and I was hoping we were moving forward. I hope your store continues to remind people of the importance of using reusable products, we have a long way to go. Thank you for continuing to increase awareness.

-Liz

Thanks for emailing us, Liz, and unfortunately this is something we've heard about from other concerned shoppers as well. Our company founder's wife, Marni, actually had a similar experience at a local department store - you can imagine her reaction!

Obviously our first recommendation is to speak to the store manager, and if that doesn't work (like in this case) go over the manager's head by contacting the company's headquarters. Express your concerns as a customer that their company is not concerned about the environment. We even have a form letter you can use on our site. If shop lifting is a concern, you can suggest that they allow mesh bags like the ACME bags Workhorse, Mesh or Walker Bags.  Finally, it's your money, and you can decide where to spend it. Stop shopping in stores that do not allow reusable bags.

Have you had an unusual experience trying to use your reusable bags at stores? Tell us about it at service@reusablebags.com!

Comments

[Lisa]

This is absolutely appalling! I'm so glad that Liz left the store without purchasing anything -- especially as she let the store know why. Our voices might not mean much, but our bucks (or pounds, or euros) certainly mean a lot to retailers... especially in the current economy! So not only are they being environmental vandals, they're also losing business. It won't take them long to change their tune.

[Terry]

The reasoning behind this is stupid, it won't prevent theft at all. All a thief has to do is bring in one of their logoed plastic bags and put the items they are stealing in it. People have been doing this for years, using a retailer's bags against them. I also take my own bags in and have been told that I could recycle the plastic bags or buy one of their wonderful $.50 "reusable bags". I tell them you get what you pay for and that's why I bring my own bags, I've never had anyone refuse to use them yet, but like Liz, I'd walk out without a purchase.

[Christi]

It's really disturbing to hear that stores would prevent us from taking a stand to help the environment. Liz did what I would have done too. No company that is actively against the environment such as this store is going to get my hard earned dollars especially when there are so many other stores to choose from.

Retailers need to start training their staff on packing our purchases in our bags! Too many times I've heard stories and comments how some clerks have placed items in a plastic bag and then into a customers reusable bag. Shameful, wasteful and distasteful.

Sincerely,
Christi Spangler
Recycle Crafter