Giant Eagle Will Eliminate Single-Use Plastic Bags At Stores

OHIO — Giant Eagle is again attempting to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags at its stores.

Starting April 22, Giant Eagle stores in Cuyahoga County will stop using plastic bags in its stores. Customers will be urged to use reusable, environmentally-friendly bags instead, the company said in a news release.

The Erie, Pennsylvania region’s Giant Eagle stores recently stopped using single-use plastic bags, and the company eliminated single-use bags from its GetGo stations companywide. Eventually, the elimination of single-use plastics will be spread to all Giant Eagle stores.

“Coinciding with its removal of single-use plastic grocery bags from stores on April 22, the company is launching a reusable bag sweepstakes, providing guests who shop with a reusable bag multiple opportunities every month to win $10,000,” Giant Eagle officials said in a news release.

Customers can also purchase reusable bags at Giant Eagle stores for $0.99 each. On Earth Day, April 22, Cuyahoga County Giant Eagles will also give away more than 100,000 reusable bags to customers.

“To further encourage the use of reusable bags, Cuyahoga County Giant Eagle stores will charge a 10-cent fee per paper bag used, ensuring that paper bags continue to be available for interested guests. Paper bags are biodegradable and recyclable, but also have a high environmental cost in terms of water and energy used in their manufacture,” the company said.

Customers paying with government-funded purchase assistance, like SNAP, will be exempt from the paper bag fee.