America Recycles…Do You?

[#1]

If you’re anything like me, you try to be a responsible steward of the planet. As much as we try, sometimes it’s just more convenient to not recycle, compost or conserve water. Let’s face it, it’s almost always more convenient to not do those things. Each November 15, The America Recycles Day event reminds us of the importance of overlooking the often inconvenient burden of preserving our precious natural resources. For the sake of those who will inherit the planet that we leave them, take this day to become informed about recycling. If you’re already informed, take this day to educate and inspire your friends, family and community leaders about what can be accomplished when we all work together. To learn more about America Recycles Day, RSVP or organize an event in your area, visit the America Recycles Day site.

[#2]

Hi Scott,

Please steal this idea: a reminder to Safeway shoppers (on a shopping cart mini ad that they see when they grab their cart), to get their re-useable bags out of the car. Make it brief, bold and graphic, (something those current real estate ad cards on there aren't.)  Also, please add reuseable grocery bags (...for like 50 cents? 25 cents?) to the list of coupon items on the new "just for U" program.

Thanks

[#3]

Hello Jenny,

This is a great idea! We really appreciate your input.

We are constantly improving our just for U program, so stay tuned for exciting enhancements!

Thanks!

-Scott

[#4]

Just a thought--  Why doesn't Sfwy recycle tin cans used in the deli, bakery etc...   Or the plastic buckets used in the bakery.  It just seems in this 3R world-  We could be doing better.  From one Sfwy employee to another.....  Not to mention doing away with plastic bags!  I would love to see us charge for them.  I think it would really encourage people to remember their reuseable bags. (Not to mention cutting costs!)  I know it would me! 

Shannon

[#5]

Thank you for your feedback Shannon. We encourage you to submit your suggestions via http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/Contact-Us. To the left of this page, you'll see a category of "Related Links". Please select "Employee Feedback", and continue from there. This resource is designed specifically for our employees, and can ensure that your suggestions reach the correct department. Thank you for being a part of the team!

[#6]

I've worked for Safeway for over 30 years and they have slowly become better at recycling and cutting down on waste.However,they still have a very long way to go. The amount of paper wasted on reports that seldom get read is one of the easiest problems to solve and yet it hasn't happened. Every time an order is written out pops a piece of paper from the printer with 2 lines on it, and into the trash it goes.At our store we make every effort to put those pieces of paper in the compost but why waste the paper in the first place ? On Wed. a report prints that uses at least one ream of paper if not more. I can guarantee you that very few of the department managers read this report. I believe that if Safeway is really serious about going green,then they will address some of these issues that occur at store level.  

[#7]

Thank you very much for your comments, we always encourage employee feedback. You can submit your comments directly at http://shop.safeway.com/corporate/safeway/feedback/default.asp. This resource is designed specifically for our employees, and can ensure that your comments reach the correct department. Thanks for being part of the team!

[#8]

Hi Scott,

I just noticed my newspaper delivery bag now has info about how to recycle it and other plastic bags. It refers to http://www.plasticbagrecycling.org. This site lists types of bags and wraps that are recyclable:

• Grocery bags
• Retail bags (hard plastic and string handles removed)
• Paper towel and toilet paper plastic wrap
• Plastic newspaper bags
• Plastic dry cleaning bags
• All clean, clear bags labeled with a #2 or #4

I had no idea that so many types of "soft" plastic is recyclable, since my recycling collector Waste Management explicitly  excludes this category from accepted items.

The above recycling site also provides the ability to search for " ... stores that may accept clean, dry plastic bags from the General Public" and lists grocer, etc. websites for readers to contact to find specific store locations. I went to the main Safeway page (which was the only one listed for Safeway) and had to search and STILL could find nothing on the topic of whether you recycle customer bags except some noncommittal 2008 press releases [note to webmaster: opportunity for improvement].

I remember that you used to provide this service, but my husband thinks those collection containers are no longer in your stores here in King county, Wa. This is likely due in part to the bring-your-own-reusable-bag trend (and laws in some areas), but I also suspect that it is an expense for Safeway (I'm not sure if you can make a net profit after reselling the bags to recyclers.)

I commend Safeway's commitment to all the other sustainability related opportunities, but if you have indeed discontinued plastic bag collection I really hope you will reconsider reinstating it as a community service. It would probably draw in new shoppers like us -- who are willing to change our shopping routine just to be able to recycle all of this plastic we've shuttered at throwing in the garbage all this time. We just got a new Fred Meyers store close to our Safeway, and if they offer this service and you don't, we will be shopping there going forward. 

Thanks for considering this.

-- TFD

P.S. I'd like to know your response but won't be checking back to this blog. Would you mind cc-ing me on your posted response? -- Thanks

[#9]

Thedadeba, many of our stores do accept plastic bags for recycling. Please check with your local Safeway store to make sure.