Giant Eagle Ramps Up Efforts To Eliminate Blue Plastic Bags

PITTSBURGH, PA — Giant Eagle is advancing its elimination of single-use plastic bags and that shortly will impact its Pittsburgh stores.

The grocer has announced its Central Ohio locations will eliminate the blue bags next month and instead encourage shoppers to use environmentally friendly reusable bags. Similar plans are afoot for the company's Pennsylvania stores.

“At Giant Eagle, we are committed to supporting the communities we serve, and we recognize the responsibility we have to help provide our families with a clean environment to play, swim and enjoy for generations to come,” said Cara Mercil, Giant Eagle director of sustainability.

“By eliminating single-use plastic bags from our stores, we will be able to divert more than six million pounds of plastic from entering our waste stream each year.”

Central Ohio area Giant Eagle stores will charge a 5-cent fee per paper bag used, ensuring that paper bags continue to be available as guests transition to reusable bags. Paper bags are biodegradable and recyclable.

Shoppers paying with forms of government funded food purchase assistance (SNAP, WIC etc.) will be exempt from the paper bag fee.