Stowe High School Students Try to Promote Printed Custom Totes

Students of Stowe High School began a campaign for replacing plastic bags with printed custom totes, in February this year. They wished to introduce this change at Shaw supermarket – the largest grocery store in town during Earth Week in April. But prior to the execution of this campaign in April, the Corporate Office at Boston refused to completely ban plastic bags. Instead, they preferred partial use of both plastic and reusable bags.

The hurdles that came in way

The Stowe High School Environmental Club leaders were in communication with the store managers. The mangers seemed excited about the idea of replacing plastic bags initially. However, post the rejection by Boston Office, the store insisted some modifications to be made. The Club changed its ad releases. These ad releases were also rejected on account of the fact that they mentioned removal of plastic bags for one week. The club leaders then decided to withdraw the campaign, as its purpose was defeated by such censorship.

Shaw’s opinion on printed custom totes

Shaw’s spokesperson, Steve Sylven said that he was not against the use of reusable tote bags, but neither did he want to “ban” plastic bags completely. Sylven does not want his customers to be pressurized about anything while shopping. He wants them to have options regarding whatever they want to use, be it plastic bags or reusable totes. Shaw respects the decision of the State and its social duties to the environment. In fact, it has successfully diverted 90 percent of its waste away from landfills, achieving the goal of its “Zero Waste” program.

The Bill that could ban plastic

Vermont has yet not sanctioned the Bill regarding ban of plastic. The Bill aimed to charge a fee of five cents on every plastic or reusable bag taken from all stores in the State, failing which the accused would be penalized for $500.

The Outcome was Positive

Rep. Curt McCormack, who proposed the Bill, stated that the Bill was refused owing to other priority issues at the committee at that point. But he shall again bring up the Bill in the near future and try his level best to get the committee’s approval on it. The Club leaders and Heather Hoffmann, a teacher at Stowe High School and the Environmental Club advisor, are positive about the Bill being passed soon. They hope to change Shaw’s rejection into acceptance of their proposal soon. They also intend to approach other megastores in the fall, with the same proposal.

Source: http://www.stowetoday.com/stowe_reporter/news/article_0cc89a9e-ceb2-11e2-8811-001a4bcf887a.html