Sam's got a brand new bag

BENTONVILLE, Ark. Sam’s Club announced that it will offer reusable shopping totes at all of its 594 locations nationwide by Oct. 1.

The company estimates it will be able to remove 1.9 million pounds of cardboard and package waste or more than 3,200 pounds per club, per year, by offering the reusable shopping totes. This translates into approximately 1,800 more recycled material bales per year.

“These new reusable bags will give our members an alternative to using the boxes we provide, and help us reach our goal of zero waste,” said Greg Johnston, evp of operations for Sam’s Club. “We will continue to offer boxes, but believe we can increase the amount of material we recycle and further ensure we are closing that loop.”

Sam’s Club will offer polypropylene reusable shopping totes at a price of $2.74 for two; each bag is capable of holding more than 50 pounds. Sam’s club estimates the bags will last approximately five years and members can return them to Sam’s Club to be recycled when they are to be replaced.