Let’s Talk About Shopping BagsAt Fresh St. Market, we’re focused on encouraging everyone to make the move to reusable bags, and we’ve made it easier for you. While no perfect solution exists, conscious choices can minimize environmental impacts. Let’s have a look at the two main choices available since single-use plastic bags were banned. |
Paper Bags
Paper Bags
Many people think paper bags are a more sustainable choice because they are made from renewable resources, are biodegradable and recyclable, and break down faster than plastic. However, making just 700 new paper bags requires a 15 to 20 year old tree and 700 gallons of water. Our stores alone go through over 1,400 trees each year for paper bags.
Ironically, plastic bags were originally created in 1959 to reduce the deforestation caused by paper bags.
Reusable Bags
Reusable Bags
Reusable bags (cotton or polypropylene) are made to last and can greatly reduce waste when used regularly. They are designed for repeated use and their environmental impact decreases with each use.
But what if you forget your reusable bag?
Borrow A Bag
Borrow A Bag: A Smarter Way to Shop Sustainably
Even with good intentions, people often forget their reusable bags and fall back on single-use paper ones—adding to environmental strain. To help, we’ve launched Canada’s first Borrow a Bag program at Fresh St. Market stores in British Columbia!
Here’s how it works:
- Borrow a reusable bag with a $2.99 refundable deposit
- Return it anytime for a full refund
- Each bag is cleaned and reused in a closed-loop system
- Forgot to return a few? No problem – bring them back anytime and get your deposits refunded.