"A Greener Southampton—the Solution is in the Bag" Relaunch

In celebration of Earth Day next week, the Town of Southampton’s Plastic Bag Education Task Force has created two special events on Saturday, April 20 to relaunch the “A Greener Southampton—the Solution is in the Bag” initiative for 2013. At King Kullen in Bridgehampton (from 9:30-11:30 a.m.) and Stop & Shop in Hampton Bays (from noon- 2 p.m.), shoppers and merchants can sign a pledge to reduce, reuse and recycle their plastic bags and each store has generously donated 125 reusable bags filled with giveaways and will sponsor activities for children.

As part of an ongoing policy at both stores, customers receive five cents off their total for each reusable bag they bring from home to package their groceries, and area students who participated in the “A Greener Southampton” poster contest will also be recognized with certificates at the events.

The Task Force’s goal is to increase recycling and reduce overall use, while employing educational programs and targeted incentives by retail participants. The overall goal is to eliminate single-use plastic bags from our environment and landfills.

In Southampton Village, single-use plastic grocery bags have been outlawed and customers at stores like Waldbaums must bring reusable bags or pay for paper. Shoppers also receive the five-cent refund for each reusable bag they use. That policy has yet to spread to the entirety of Southampton Town.