March 27, 2008
Retailers use Earth Day to push change
If you think you’re seeing an unusually high number of pushes to be more environmentally friendly lately, you’ll begin to see even more by Earth Day next month (April 22). It seems like this is the magic day or timeframe that many retailers, namely grocers, are rolling out different environmental initiatives.
Whole Foods Markets is one of them. This natural and organic foods grocer already has announced its plans to do away with all plastic bags by Earth Day. There’s not a Whole Foods in Southwestern Virginia, but I’m sure that some of you have shopped at this grocer in other cities.
The Richmond-based Ukrop’s Super Market, which has a Roanoke store, has a few environmental changes up its sleeve next month. It plans to offer ten $1,000 Ukrop's gift cards between March 31 and April 26. You can enter a drawing to win one of these cards by carrying the grocer's mesh bags or reusing a paper bag, along with using its valued customer card.
Another way to have a chance to win a gift card (which we all could use nowadays with the cost of so many foods rising) is to buy marketed “green” products at Ukrop’s stores. Some examples of the chain’s eco-friendly eats include all-natural spring water, Full Circle-branded products and all natural meat and bakery items.
And to all of you who have commented that you keep forgetting to bring your reusable grocery bags into the store with you, Ukrop’s is planning to post a sign on the front door of its stores. It will remind customers to get their reusable bags out of their cars before they shop, said Bobby Ukrop, president and chief executive officer of the chain, this week.
You still may not want to go all of the way back to your car once you’ve reached the store’s front doors, but at least it’s a reminder before you begin shopping.
Let me know if you hear of other Earth Day initiatives.
Comments
[March 30, 2008 9:45 AM]
Chris ParkhurstThe long-standing Earth Day celebration in the Grandin Village will be on Saturday April 19th. Anchored by Roanoke Natural Foods, there will be many free movies and other demonstrations of earth-friendly, sustainable behaviors as well as local, organic farmers answering all our questions and of course the start of the organic seedling sale for those of us who like to plant our garden with nutritious veggies and support small family farms all over southwest Virginia.
[March 30, 2008 5:27 PM]
JennyChris, Thanks for the info about the Grandin Village Earth Day event!
[March 31, 2008 5:58 PM]
Jeanie PattersonThe Daily Grind 419 in West Village uses cups from corn which is 100% compostable and environmentally sustainable.