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Business & Tech

Grocery Stores Score A+ to F in Reusable Bag Study

Reusable bag policies and practices rated by nonprofit Long Island organization.

A Long Island nonprofit group has released a report grading local supermarkets like Stop & Shop, Pathmark, and King Kullen on their reusable bag practices and policies.

These supermarkets, which have locations in the Patchogue-Medford area, received grades across the board from A-plus through F.

In the report released Thursday, Citizens Campaign for the Environment gave Stop & Shop an A-plus grade but gave King Kullen an F.

Stop & Shop, which has a Medford location on 700-60 Patchogue-Yaphank Road, scored well based on its availability of reusable shopping bags, its signage in stores and parking lots reminding customers to use them, and its offering of a five cent credit per reusable bag customers use at checkout lines.

"Stop and Shop has long taken a proactive approach to working with federal, state and local officials to support efforts that will make a real difference in this area," said Faith Weiner, director of public affairs for Stop & Shop.

King Kullen, located in the Gateway Plaza shopping center, sells reusable bags and provides plastic bag recycling bins but does not offer a credit when customers reuse shopping bags, responded to the report in a statement released Thursday.

"King Kullen encourages all customers to recycle their plastic bags by bringing them right back to the store and depositing them in the recycling bins," said King Kullen Vice President Thomas Cullen. "We also hope King Kullen shoppers will purchase the reusable bags we've made available at every store — but that is the customer's decision. We believe in offering a choice."

Pathmark received a B-plus grade on the Citizens Campaign report.

The report assessed supermarkets on nine criteria, including availability and cost of reusable shopping bags, signage in stores, windows and parking lots, discounts for reusing bags, cashier training, and willingness to participate in the consumer study.

"Grocery stores have helped create the problem of disposable bags and now we need them to help solve this problem," said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "We hope all stores use this report as an opportunity to implement policies that encourage consumers to make the switch to reusable bags."

On Friday, consumers visiting the local Pathmark had mixed reactions regarding the use of recyclable bags. One Patchogue resident, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that she "loves recycling [at Pathmark]. I like their bags. They are cheap, sturdy and I can easily wipe them down when I'm done. I have almost 10 bags that I bring with me".

However, other consumers stated the bags to be a hassle and that the bags are not big enough for most purchases.

"I know Pathmark offers recycling options and you can buy bags but I just don't care. I'm not going to waste money on bags that I will probably not have with me the next time I run out to go shopping. They're expensive and more of a hassle than anything," said another shopper.

Pathmark offers the bags at the register for 99 cents per bag.

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