Some retailers used Earth Day to show off their green credentials Tuesday.
Whole Foods Markets banished plastic shopping bags from checkout counters, sacking groceries in reusable or paper bags. Shoppers can bring their own bags or pay 99 cents for a reusable bag made from recycled plastic bottles.
“I think it is great. The bags are wonderful,” said Deria Alexander, 47, of Aurora, whose groceries were packed in new, green, reusable Whole Foods bags.
Alexander began shopping at Whole Foods after watching an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” about the environment and green products.
“Green products are the hottest trend,” said Jon Schallert, president of the Schallert Group, management and marketing consultants. “With rising oil and gas prices and people realizing they have to be more environmentally conscious, (retailers) get this great opportunity on Earth Day to really tout” environmentally friendly products and policies.
Whole Foods announced in January that it would eliminate plastic shopping bags on Earth Day.
“A lot of customers are already bringing their own reusable bags,” said Drew Calvert, marketing director for the chain’s Cherry Creek store.
Other local groceries took note of Earth Day as well.
The Safeway store at East Sixth Avenue and Corona Street in Denver held a Green Shopping Tour, highlighting environmentally friendly products.
“We are showing folks how easy it is to be green,” said Safeway spokeswoman Kristine Staaf.
Matthew Martinez, 31, had a Safe way shopping bag made of recycled material among the items in his basket as he approached the checkout. The fact that it was Earth Day played into his decision to purchase the 99-cent black bag, the Denver resident said.
“I guess I am more aware of it because it is Earth Day,” he said.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
