December 19th, 2007

By John DeFore

“Paper or plastic” will no longer have the same meaning at Whole Foods. Starting today, the upscale, natural foods grocery giant begins a plan to eliminate disposable plastic bags in the checkout line. As a story in the Austin American-Statesman announces, shoppers will be offered “complimentary 100 percent recycled paper bags” or be able to purchase either familiar cloth bags or a “new reusable tote…slightly larger than a traditional brown paper grocery bag,” that costs “99 cents and is made of recycled plastic bottles.”

The policy begins first as a test in the company’s hometown, Austin, “with steps in the direction for a company-wide ban at checkout early next year,” spokesperson Kate Lowery told the paper. Whole Foods has already discontinued the bags in San Francisco, in response to a citywide ban (which we’ve discussed here), but the Austin initiative comes before any legal mandate. (Austin has considered following SF’s lead with a similar law.)

Meat and seafood will still be wrapped in plastic, and shoppers will still be offered plastic bags in the produce department, although the chain hopes to introduce more eco-friendly alternatives in 2008.