Wegmans cuts the plastic

Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans Food Markets is piloting a new program in an effort to reduce its environmental impact. 

The company announced that it will be removing the use of plastic bags in two of its New York state locations as of July 29. The stores selected are located in Ithaca and Corning. 

The announcement comes shortly after the company’s previous statement in April that Wegmans will eliminate plastic bags at all of its New York state stores ahead of the state ban that takes effect on March 1, 2020.

Wegmans says that paper grocery bags will continue to be available, but 5 cents will be charged for each bag. The supermarket chain says the goal is to convert all customers to reusable bags. In the meantime, the amount collected from the paper bags at the Ithaca and Corning stores will be donated to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.