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Sustainability January 31, 2019
How many bags would you like with that?
If you live in LA you know all about the extra charge for bags at the grocery store. For someone like me who traveled from Texas where you can grab as many bags as you please for free, you can imagine how I felt about the idea for paying for them.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, in August 2014, California became the first state to enact legislation imposing a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at large retail stores.
The bill also required a 10-cent minimum charge for recycled paper bags, reusable plastic bags, and compostable bags at certain locations.
The goal of these laws is to motivate customers to bring reusable bags to the grocery store.
Regulating bags decreases harmful impacts to oceans, rivers, lakes, forests and the wildlife that inhabit them. Reducing bag use can also relieve pressure on landfills and waste management.
There are other ways grocery stores make themselves more sustainable. Here are three L.A. grocery stores leading the way in sustainability.
Whole Foods is known for specializing in natural, organic food products.
However eating healthy can get pricey but ever since Amazon bought the food chain last year, prices have gone down. (Organic avocados went from $2.50 to $1.99, let’s celebrate!)
Whole Foods is also known for supporting local businesses which keeps the economy going in the community.
They also have a charity program called “One Dime at a Time” that gives shoppers an incentive to bring our own reusable bags. When you do, you either receive 10 cents back for every bag you bring, or choose to donate the returns to a charity organization of your choice.
Not to mention, Whole Foods just became the first national grocery chain to commit to total GMO transparency. This means every product in their store is labeled to let you know if it is GMO-free or not.
That’s what I call wholesome shopping.
Ralphs is the L.A. budgeter’s favorite grocery store. With its Ralph’s Rewards Card offer that allows customers to earn points every day on just about everything in the store and its double coupon policy, you’re sure to save a ton on groceries by shopping here.
It also reduces its bag use by adding an extra charge for each bag (thanks to the California law) but in the end, you’re saving more than you’re spending and what’s more sustainable than saving your money?
Urban Radish is a family-owned grocery store in LA doubling as an eatery. The fact that they are family-owned and not only operate as a market but a restaurant as well, makes them a critical asset to building their community. Similar to Whole Foods, they pride themselves on providing clean, pesticide-free produce.
Urban Radish is an avid supporter of small, local farms which cuts down on capitalism by helping out the little guy. They also offer natural home care products that cover everything from toothpaste to floor cleaners. Because hey, what goes on and around our bodies is just as important as what goes in it.
Grocery shopping is a great place to start if you want to start living a more sustainable life. So, if you live in L.A., you might want to consider one of these three places.
