• FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va.
Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) stores in Europe are following the lead of other commissaries around the world in phasing out the availability of single-use grocery bags in their stores.
These stores will now join commissaries in Guam, Hawaii and California in phasing out plastic bags, putting them in compliance with local and state regulations.
SHIFT IN SHOPPING HABITS
Eliminating single-use bags is be a major shift in commissary patron shopping habits, and DeCA will address potential concerns during the transition process. The agency also noted that it will provide additional resources for education and awareness to ease the transition.
“DeCA is committed to complying with applicable local and territorial laws restricting the use of single use plastics,” said Tracie Russ, DeCA Europe area director. “We will have a few fully recyclable and reusable options to offer patrons, all of which meet European Union requirements.”
PHASE-OUT
Commissaries on Guam were the first to remove single-use paper and plastic bags, doing so on March 15, 2024, followed by Hawaii on April 30 and California on June 30.
“DeCA remains dedicated to environmental stewardship, reducing its ecological footprint, and complying with applicable environmental laws and regulations.” Russ said. “DeCA’s approach to eliminating non-reusable bags in all 33 commissaries in DeCA’s Europe Region takes into account its patrons’ needs, as well as various contractual, fiscal, statutory, and operational requirements.”
New shopping bag options include large recyclable bags, at nine cents each; large paper bags with handles, at 14 cents each; and a full assortment of designer reusable bags, priced from 46 cents up to $4.36, depending on size.
SOCIAL NETWORK
Social networking has become an important feature in getting the word out about various issues related to military resale, and Facebook was active related to this change in shopping habits.
According to the DeCA Naples, Italy, Facebook site (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BGkgE63nv/), European commissaries have commenced the transition from providing single-use shopping bags to offering fully recyclable and reusable shopping bag options for purchase.
“The Defense Commissary Agency has been a leader in energy, water, and solid waste reduction, as well as implementing a robust recycling program,” the posting noted. “This change will work to continue these efforts and encourage customers to reuse shopping bags.”
Customers have given both yeas and nays to the change, and a DeCA spokesman noted, “There would not be pushback from the stores. There have been questions from patrons. We do recognize that with any change there are concerns and we will provide additional resources toward education and awareness to ease the transition.
“The agency believes with the reusable bag options we offer in store and a slight change to the way our customers shop, customers will enjoy their commissary shopping experience while doing their part to protect the environment with little inconvenience.”
THE FUTURE
The spokesman added that at the current time, there are no specific dates for the future, when all commissaries will be in lockstep with this program to eliminate single-use bags.
“DeCA’s intention is to eliminate single-use bags, both paper and plastic, where applicable, based on each location’s specific needs and legislative/regulatory environment,” he noted.
For more information on DeCA’s environmental programs, visit corp.commissaries.com for the latest updates.
Source: DeCA
Edited by Larry Lapka
