Business & Tech

Stop & Shop Discontinues Bring-Your-Own-Bag Incentive

Grocery retailer will no longer give customers 5 cents off their shopping bills for each bag they reuse.

Stop & Shop's rebate program that gives customers 5 cents back each time they reuse a shopping bag ended July, the supermarket chain announced in a letter to customers.

According to the letter, signed by Stop & Shop New York Metro Division President Don Sussman, the rebate program, which launched in 2008, has kept millions of paper and plastic bags from the waste stream.

 "While we have been greatly encouraged by this, the program has reached a plateau in its effectiveness to encourage shoppers to reuse their bags," Sussman wrote. 

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Stop & Shop said it would put support behind other programs to reduce environmental impact, including making a $10,000 donation to The Nature Conservancy on Long Island.

Customers at the Smithtown Stop and Shop had mixed reactions. Jeanne, a resident of Smithtown who declined to give her last name said she usually shops at Shop Rite where they give rebates for bringing your own bag.

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“It doesn’t affect me much. I shop at Shop Rite and they give you money back for bringing your own bags,” she said. Another customer said she doesn't use the program.

"I don't bring my own bags, so it doesn't bother me," said Michele Burger, a Smithtown resident.

Others find reusable bags more practical. Here is what a few readers had to say via our Facebook page. 

"I always use my own bags because they hold so much more. It was nice though getting something back, even if it was just 5 cents," said JoAnne Zeibag Romanelli.

"They hold a lot more also they are easier to carry too! They do not rip when you put things in it too," said Lorie Lynn via Facebook.

"I always use my own bags. I find that they are sturdier and they hold more items. Reusable bags are very convenient for when I use the Scan It when shopping. I am quite annoyed that they won't be offering 5 cents off per bag anymore," said Ivelysse Marie Powers.

Additional reporting by Brendan J. O'Reilly.


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