Last night I left Whole Foods Market – an inherently feel-good sort of place – guilty and confused, carrying my groceries in overly large brown paper bags, which are apparently deemed by the Earth-friendly grocers the lesser of two disposable-bag evils.
I was feeling so conscientious, stocking up on fruit and organic energy drinks, until the cashier asked, “What type of bags would you like?”
Plastic bags, though still on hand at the register, were on the fast track to banishment (according to a recent Star-Telegram piece). Paper, I figured, was nearly as environmentally negligent. I felt pressure to spring for a couple Whole Foods reusable totes, but I’d already jacked up my grocery bill to compensate for WFs wholesome products and uber-green aura. Looking at the long line behind me (spotting fellow customers with canvas grocery bags in hand). I answer, though it comes out like a question, “Plastic?” The clerk shoots me a sanctimonious glare (okay, not really but I imagined it for a second).
Walking through the Greenville store parking lot, palpable paper sack in hand, I reprimand myself. (I should have canvas grocery bags.) Then I defend myself. (Who can keep track of canvas grocery bags? I can’t even find my car.) I don’t face this dilemma when I shop Kroger. But should I? For now, I can only promise to dutifully recycle my paper.
A spokesperson, Karen Lukin, confirmed Whole Foods is doing away with plastic bags, any left in stores are just being used up. The goal is to rid all stores of plastic bags by April 22, Earth Day.
