Walmart Will Discontinue Paper, Plastic Bags in CT Starting Wednesday

CONNECTICUT — Attention Walmart shoppers: Be prepared to bring your own reusable bags or buy them at checkout, beginning Wednesday.

Connecticut Walmart stores will no longer be offering customers any more free bags at the register. The rule has already been in effect at Walmarts throughout Mexico and Canada.

The ban on bags is part of Walmart's "aspirational zero waste goal," according to Anna Vinogradova, the retail juggernaut's director of Sustainability. A 2020 United Nations report ripped plastic bags as needing to be used 10 to 20 times to compensate for the energy needed for their manufacture.

Connecticut has banned single use plastic bags since July 2021. It's one of currently nine states to pull the plug completely on grocery bags.

Bags will continue to be used as needed at your local Walmart for raw meats/proteins, produce, and chemicals to ensure food safety and prevent cross contamination. Delivery will also be fulfilled in paper bags, according to a statement on the retailer's website.

Customers who leave their multi-use bags at home won't be completely out of luck: They will be able to purchase an ecologically compliant grocery bag at prices starting at 74 cents.