Oliver’s is trying out new compostable plastic produce bags in our Produce departments to see how they perform and welcome all feedback.
About the new Compostable Plastic Bags we are currently trying out:
- They ARE compostable in anyone’s backyard compost bin or pile.
- They ARE NOT compostable in Recology’s and other waste hauler’s residential green cans. Therefore, they are required to go in the garbage.
- We WANT YOUR FEEDBACK on these bags. Please use our in-store Customer Service Board or our website page to share your thoughts.
Please consider using our Recycled COMPOSTABLE Paper Bags:
- They ARE available in all Produce and Bulk departments. Please request help from our staff if you are not seeing them while shopping.
- They ARE made of some or all recycled content.
- They ARE 100% compostable in both a home compost bin or pile and in residential cans.
Please consider using REUSABLE produce bags:
- They ARE for sale in all our Produce departments. If they are out of stock or not available, please ask the Produce Manager to assist you.
- They ARE a great Zero-Waste option. Customers are encouraged to use these bags.
For more Zero Waste Shopping Tips, visit our Zero Waste Shopping Tips page.
Comments
Add a commentWhy bother with the “compostable “ bags that you can’t put in the green can? No one I know makes their own compost! But thanks for the clarification.
Comment by Irene Ojdana on January 15, 2025 at 8:08 am
Thank you for your comment, Irene. As noted in the blog, we are continuing to trial bag options that conform to the new legal requirements. Additionally, capabilities of our local recycling and waste management continue to evolve. In the meantime, we hope you will consider the alternative options noted and find one that works for you.
Comment by Sara Cummings on January 15, 2025 at 10:04 am
I wish it had been publicized before that these compostable bags are not supposed to go into the Recology green bins. I’ve been putting them straight into the bins when I get home since I found my produce begins to rot after a few days in these bags in my fridge, where the produce would last a week or more in the plastic bags. Now I repackage my produce as soon as I get home.
Now that I know, I will use paper or reusable bags for my produce when possible when shopping.
Comment by Janice Ashley on January 15, 2025 at 8:19 am
Thank you for this helpful feedback, which we will share with our Produce team. We work to keep our supply of paper bags fully stocked, so please feel free to ask a member of our Produce team if you are not seeing a suitable paper bag for your needs.
Comment by Sara Cummings on January 15, 2025 at 10:09 am
Hi
I did my master’s thesis on municipal composting. If the compostable bags are not going to be used by Recology, then I think Oliver’s management should rethink this effort. I bring with me reusable bags each week. Could you perhaps provide an incentive to customers who either throw their produce directly in the cart or bring reusable containers for bulk items? Nothing big, just a “Thank you” for saving the planet? Or maybe even, punch a card enough times and you get a free reusable bag?
James
Comment by James Johnson on January 15, 2025 at 8:46 am
Thank you for this feedback and suggestions. We appreciate them very much, and will pass them along to our Produce and Sustainability Coordinators.
Comment by Sara Cummings on January 15, 2025 at 10:07 am
It was a little confusing as the bags are all green color not just green for organic produce like they were before. A nice produce worker showed me the bags do look the same but the organic ones say “organic” on them. Also in the Windsor store the hardware that the bags are rolled on are up too high! Had to have help to get a bag to use & I wasn’t the only one.
Comment by Charlene Weber on January 15, 2025 at 9:02 am
Thank you for this feedback. We will pass it along to our Produce and Sustainability Coordinators.
Comment by Sara Cummings on January 15, 2025 at 10:05 am