Urge Publix to Switch to Plant-based Plastics!
- by: Steven Pontones
- recipient: William E. Crenshaw, CEO of Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Over 100 billion plastic bags are used in the United States each year, and according to the EPA less than 5 percent of those are recycled. Depending on the conditions in which a plastic bag ends up, it can take anywhere from 1 year to 1,000 years to biodegrade.
Before the bag biodegrades completely, it often has negative consequences for marine life, suffocating marine mammals, ensnaring fish, or choking aquatic birds. As the bag biodegrades, it releases toxins such as BPA and phthalates, which eventually find their way back to our dinner plates. These pollutants have been linked to thyroid disorders, abnormal fetal development, and cancer.
It is also worth noting that plastic bags are made with petroleum. The Wall Street Journal reported that more than 12 million barrels of oil are devoted to the manufacture of grocery bags every year in America. In other words, the environmental cost of plastic bags are threefold:
A) They are detrimental to marine ecosystems
B) They have negative health consquences for individuals and society
C) They are derived from dirty fossil fuels
Together, we can help Publix change their bag policy to reflect some or all of the following:
- Opt to use a plant-based polylactic acid plastic (PLA) instead of convential petroleum-based plastic. PLA biodegrades into carbon dioxide and water in about 3 months.
- Provide an incentive to customers who use re-usable grocery bags, maybe 15 cents per bag. At the family average of 1500 bags per year, that's an annual savings of $225 per year!
- Charge customers for each plastic bag they use. This will help Publix offset the cost of switching to PLA bags and help to subsidize the patrons who use re-usable bags.
Over 100 billion plastic bags are used in the United States each year, and according to the EPA less than 5 percent of those are recycled. Depending on the conditions in which a plastic bag ends up, it can take anywhere from 1 year to 1,000 years to biodegrade.
Before the bag biodegrades completely, it often has negative consequences for marine life, suffocating marine mammals, ensnaring fish, or choking aquatic bird species. As the bag biodegrades, it releases toxins such as BPA and phthalates, which eventually find their way back to our dinner plates. These pollutants have been linked to thyroid disorders, abnormal fetal development, and cancer.
It is also worth noting that plastic bags are made with petroleum. The Wall Street Journal reported that more than 12 million barrels of oil are devoted to the manufacture of grocery bags every year in America. In other words, the environmental cost of plastic bags are threefold:
A) They are detrimental to marine ecosystems
B) They have negative health consquences for individuals and society
C) They are derived from dirty fossil fuels
It is my experience that Publix has on many occassions distributed or promoted re-usable bags. The signers of this petition want to thank Publix and encourage the company to take even bolder steps to protect the environment.
Together, Publix and patrons can lead the way to a future that is kind to the environment, to people, and to business. We suggest that Publix change its bag policy to reflect some or all of the following:
- Opt to use a plant-based polylactic acid plastic (PLA) instead of convential petroleum-based plastic. PLA biodegrades into carbon dioxide and water in about 3 months.
- Provide an incentive to customers who use re-usable grocery bags, maybe 15 cents per bag. At the family average of 1500 bags per year, that's an annual savings of $225 per year!
- Charge customers for each plastic bag they use. This will help Publix offset the cost of switching to PLA bags and help to subsidize the patrons who use re-usable bags.
With a little cost-benefit analysis, I have no doubt that Publix can seize this opportunity to encourage a greener standard of living without sacrificing the bottom line. This is a rare instance in which there is an obvious win-win scenario -- let's not squander it. Please lead the way in sustainable growth.
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