Prior to the ban, over 23 billion plastic bags were used in New York State every year. While the state’s legislation was designed to reduce and eliminate bag waste, some consumers have come to rely on paper bags to bring home their groceries. Last year alone, shoppers visiting their local Tops used about 25 million paper bags. The most environmentally friendly and economical option remains heavy-duty reusable bags, which are available at checkout counters.

“Making the switch to reusable bags may seem like something small, but it makes a big difference when you consider our combined impact. Millions of New Yorkers are now using reusable bags, which has kept a tremendous amount of plastic from entering the waste stream and local landfills,” said Ron Ferri, President of Tops Friendly Markets. “We’re grateful to all our customers for bringing their bags when they visit our stores — with each visit, you’re protecting environmental resources and saving money.”

Paper bags can be recycled, but they still present issues for the environment. They require more energy to manufacture, causing the release of potential air and water pollutants. Paper bags are biodegradable, but they don’t break down easily in landfills which lack water, light, or oxygen. Given their weight and size, paper bags also put more diesel trucks on the road to ship.

Heavy-duty reusable bags are better for personal budgets, too. Consider the normal weekly shopping trip. If you bring five reusable bags, rather than purchasing five paper bags each week, you could save more than $15 over the course of a year — and most heavy-duty bags can last for over 10 years.

In addition to the environmental and economic impact, reusable bags at Tops have also made a difference in the community. The Tops Totes for Change program — which donates proceeds from the sale of certain reusable bags to local organizations — has raised nearly $739,000 to aid local nonprofits like Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), Tops in Education, Children’s Miracle Network, Feeding America, and United Way.

Local environmental advocacy group, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, speaks to the importance of transitioning to reusable bags.

“Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper applauds Tops and other regional companies for continuing to embrace sustainability and encourage customers to use re-usable bags for their shopping needs,” said Jill Jedlicka, Executive Director of Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper. “It may not be as obvious to the general public, but the transition away from single-use plastic bags in recent years has had a significant impact on the aesthetics and plastic pollution in our regional environment. Groups like Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper had spent decades mobilizing volunteers to help remove this kind of litter from our local environment on a regular basis. Five years after the ban, due to the commitment of local companies and citizens, the amount of plastic bag pollution has dramatically decreased in Western New York. This is a win for people and the planet, and every person that uses re-usable bags is a part of the solution, and we thank you.”

As the price of producing and shipping paper bags rises, grocery stores typically absorb most of the cost — and even with the nominal fee, they lose money by providing paper bags at checkout.

“Providing a convenient and friendly shopping experience is a priority for us, so we’ll continue offering paper bags to help our customers get their groceries home,” Ferri said. “Earth Day serves as a great reminder for us all to remember our reusable bags and take a small step toward a big impact for our environment.”

Ahead of Earth Day, Tops has fully stocked their 152 stores with heavy-duty reusable bags that will be available at the front of stores and at checkout counters.

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About Tops Friendly Markets Headquartered in Williamsville, NY, Tops Markets operates a robust network of 152 grocery stores spanning New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, including one franchise location. As one of Western New York’s largest employers, and with over 14,000 associates across its entire footprint, Tops is committed to delivering sustainably sourced, premium-quality products. Beyond retail, Tops is committed to the communities it serves through initiatives focused on hunger relief, health improvement, youth education, and environmental sustainability. Discover more at www.topsmarkets.com.

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