The Kroger Co., America's Second Largest Retailer, Will Eliminate Single-Use Plastic Bags

The Kroger Co. issued a press release this month announcing its plan to eliminate single-use plastic bags by 2025 as part of its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste pledge. The company said it will transition to reusable bags.

Kroger isn’t the only company choosing to go more eco-friendly. We’ve covered large companies like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts, and even major cities like Mumbai, that are making this eco-friendly transformation. Going green is becoming more prominent, and we don't see the trend slowing down anytime soon.

Going... going... GREEN! We're phasing out use-once, throw-it-away plastic bags and choosing reusable bags for all of our stores as part of our #ZeroHungerZeroWaste commitment. https://t.co/LSTpCnzCm4 pic.twitter.com/R0T21JLspQ

— Kroger (@kroger) August 28, 2018

Join our mission to end hunger and eliminate waste, including removing single-use plastic bags in our stores. Help by using a reusable bag or purchasing a #ZeroHungerZeroWaste one in stores. For each bag sold, a meal is donated to Feeding America. https://t.co/zID6yFfI84 pic.twitter.com/SvGb0AlWgk

— Kroger (@kroger) August 24, 2018

According to the press release, Kroger's Quality Food Centers (QFC) stores, based in Seattle, will be its first retail division to phase out the bags. The first step in the process should be completed by 2019.

With Seattle being the first major city to pass the single-use plastics ban on straws and utensils, it’s no coincidence that QFC would be the first to stop using plastic bags.

Kroger said it made the decision not just with the planet in mind, but also its customers (and, by extension, its bottom line).

"We listen very closely to our customers and our communities, and we agree with their growing concerns," Mike Donnelly, Kroger executive vice president and chief operating officer, said in the press release. "That's why, starting today at QFC, we will begin the transition to more sustainable options. This decision aligns with our Restock Kroger commitment to live our purpose through social impact."

Kroger is America's largest supermarket chain and, after Walmart, the second largest general retailer, so the move is a big deal. As with Disney and the other major companies and cities mentioned above, it's indicative of the overall trend away from single-use plastics and toward more sustainable options. It's no longer a matter of if companies will make similar changes, but when.

For promotional product distributors, this means we'll continue to see selling opportunities for reusable totes, bags and other products. While Kroger is going through this change over the next few years, end-users will eventually have to BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) or use the reusable options Kroger offers.